Category Archives: City of Wyoming

Woodland Mall Back to School Shopping Guide

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(Courtesy, Woodland Mall)


By WKTV Staff

Whether you’re shopping for elementary-school kiddos or college-bound young adults, Woodland Mall is your one-stop destination for students of all ages.

“Having the right clothes, accessories and supplies can go a long way for boosting students’ confidence and comfort heading into a new school year,” Senior Marketing Director Lisa Wolstromer said. “For the 2025 back-to-school season, we’re seeing interest in both fashion and function. Popular items include updated denim styles, athleisure wear, sneakers, beauty, skincare products and tech essentials.

“With retailers offering everything you need and great food and beverage options to enjoy along the way, you can make a fun day out of back-to-school shopping at Woodland Mall.”

Enjoy a smoother experience prepping for school with Woodland Mall’s shopping guide:

Step into the school year with footwear from Aldo, Kids Foot Locker, Snipes, Vans and Zumiez:

  • Get fresh kicks for the first day, from Nike Air Force 1s to classic Vans slip-ons.
  • With trendy sneakers, athletic shoes and backpacks, grab exclusive styles perfect for gym class, after-school sports and campus walks. 


Zumiez. (Photo, Courtesy Woodland Mall)


Shop style staples at Aerie, American Eagle, H&M, Hollister and Urban Outfitters:

  • Find outfit essentials for tweens, teens and college students, such as graphic tees, denim, layering pieces and on-trend accessories.
  • An A+ campus fit should balance comfort and style. 

Find fall layers and outerwear at Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, H&M and The North Face:

  • Lightweight jackets, hoodies and seasonal layers are perfect for chilly mornings and classroom comfort.
  • Pick up a blazer and similar polished jacket for high school and college presentations. 

Grab backpacks and school gear from Barnes and Noble, Claire’s, Journeys and Journeys Kidz:

  • Fun items and accessories like hair clips, lip glosses and locker decorations can personalize the school experience.
  • Stay organized with notebooks, planners and other school supplies, and stay hydrated with colorful drinkware you’ll take with you everywhere.


Journeys Kidz. (Photo, Courtesy Woodland Mall)


Stay connected with tech and study tools from the Apple Store and Cricket:

  • Look for student and educator discounts on MacBooks, iPads and more, and don’t forget must-have accessories like headphones, styluses and portable chargers.
  • Consider data plans for staying connected on the go.

Stock up on self-care and dorm essentials from Bath & Body Works, Lush, Macy’s, Sephora and Von Maur:

  • Get first-day ready with makeup, hair tools and skincare kits, along with body mists and aromatherapy to beat stress.
  • Feel put together with must-have beauty products and organizers for your locker or dorm room.


Charleys Philly Steaks and Mango Thai. (Photo, Courtesy Woodland Mall)



Fuel up while you shop – stop by Auntie Anne’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Mango Thai, Red Robin and Starbucks: 

  • Take a study break or refuel during your shopping trip with a coffee, smoothie or snack.
  • Treat the kids (and yourself) to dinner and dessert for completing your back-to-school checklist! 

To find a full list of retailers and deals, visit ShopWoodlandMall.com. 

MHSAA News: Girls field hockey and boys volleyball make high school sports debut; boys tennis Finals update

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,
(Image Courtesy, MHSAA)



By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor


Girls field hockey and boys volleyball make their debuts with MHSAA sponsorship during the 2025-26 school year. Field hockey will be played in the fall, while boys volleyball begins its first season in the spring.


There are 37 varsity teams expected to play during the inaugural field hockey season. There will be one playoff division, with the first MHSAA Regionals in this sport beginning Oct. 8 and the first championship awarded Oct. 25.


Practices are set to begin Monday, Aug. 11, for an anticipated 100,000 high school athletes at Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools.

The fall season includes the most played sports for both boys and girls; 36,210 football players and 19,679 girls volleyball players competed during the Fall 2024 season. Teams in those sports will be joined by competitors in girls and boys cross country, field hockey, Lower Peninsula girls golf, boys soccer, Lower Peninsula girls swimming & diving, Upper Peninsula girls tennis and Lower Peninsula boys tennis in beginning practice next week. Competition begins Aug. 15 for cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer and tennis, Aug. 20 for swimming & diving and volleyball, and Aug. 28 for varsity football. 

Pilot program in Boys Tennis Finals
To conclude their season, Lower Peninsula boys tennis teams will begin a pilot program showcasing Finals for all four divisions at the same location – Midland Tennis Center – over a two-week period. Division 4 will begin play with its two-day event Oct. 15-16, followed by Division 1 on Oct. 17-18, Division 2 on Oct. 22-23 and Division 3 played Oct. 24-25.

Also in Lower Peninsula boys tennis, and girls in the spring, a Finals qualification change will allow for teams that finish third at their Regionals to advance to the season-ending tournament as well, but only in postseason divisions where there are six Regionals – which will be all four boys divisions this fall.

Football Finals now 3 days
The 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field will be played this fall over a three-day period, with Division 8, 4, 6 and 2 games on Friday, Nov. 28, and Division 7, 3, 5 and 1 games played Sunday, Nov. 30, to accommodate Michigan State’s game against Maryland on Nov. 29 at Ford Field.

Two more changes affecting football playoffs will be noticeable this fall. For the first time, 8-Player Semifinals will be played at neutral sites; previously the team with the highest playoff-point average continued to host during that round. Also, teams that forfeit games will no longer receive playoff-point average strength-of-schedule bonus points from those opponents to which they forfeited.

Boys soccer rule changes
A pair of changes in boys soccer this fall will address sportsmanship. The first allows game officials to take action against a team’s head coach in addition to any cautions or ejections issues to players and personnel in that team’s bench area – making the head coach more accountable for behavior on the sideline. The second change allows for only the team captain to speak with an official during the breaks between periods (halftime and during overtime), unless another coach, player, etc., is summoned by the official – with the penalty a yellow card to the offending individual.

More game-action rule changes  

  • In volleyball, multiple contacts by one player attempting to play the ball will now be allowed on second contact if the next contact is by a teammate on the same side of the net. 
  • In swimming & diving, backstroke ledges will be permitted in pools that maintain a 6-foot water depth. If used in competition, identical ledges must be provided by the host team for all lanes, although individual swimmers are not required to use them. 
  • Also in swimming & diving – during relay exchanges – second, third and fourth swimmers must have one foot stationary at the front edge of the deck. The remainder of their bodies may be in motion prior to the finish of the incoming swimmer.
  •  In football, when a forward fumble goes out of bounds, the ball will now be spotted where the fumble occurred instead of where the ball crossed the sideline.

Community invited to celebrate the Godwin Mercado grand opening on Aug. 16

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The new farmers market and year-round event facility located at 301 36th Street will be unveiled to the public in a free event (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The City of Wyoming is inviting the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Godwin Mercado marketplace on Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The new farmers market and year-round event facility located at 301 36th Street will be unveiled to the public in a free event that Krashawn Martin, Director of the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, describes as a community block party.

“We want to give an opportunity for people to see and feel the space, and see some things that might be [around during] market season,” said Martin at the July Godwin Mercado sneak-peek event.

A ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m. followed by free family-friendly activities, food and drinks from local vendors, live music, lawn games, face painting and more.

Click the following links for more information about the Godwin Mercado and the grand opening event.

Rendering of completed Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

Resource links

The Godwin Mercado full market grand opening is planned for spring of 2026. For updates, sign up for the Godwin Mercado newsletter here.

Interested vendors can sign up to participate weekly or for the entire market season via an online vendor application.

(Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

Memories abound as fighters from Pride Boxing Club in Grand Rapids gather for reunion

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Golden Gloves, Kent County, Local Business, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Former heavyweight champion Buster Mathis Jr. poses in front of some of the numerous press clippings of Pride boxing at the reunion. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


Memories came flowing back in waves Saturday as former boxers from the Pride Boxing Gym gathered together for a first-time reunion in Byron Center.

Grand Rapids has a long and rich amateur boxing history and the former Pride Gym, which was located near the corner of Division and Burton streets in Grand Rapids, was one of the shining stars of the amateur boxing scene in West Michigan during the 1980s and 90s.

The names and the accomplishments were the things of legend in the amateur boxing realm. Among the boxers, many of them who went on to successful professional boxing careers that trained at the Pride Gym were the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr., Buster Mathis Jr., Juan Padin, Kevin Childrey, Tony Quintana, Sugar Ray Collins, Brian Blakely, Kevin “KP” Porter and a host of others.

Many of those boxers were on hand for a reunion and picnic Saturday. The stories were numerous and the laughs and smiles flowed as over 25 former Pride boxers took part.

Burr Elzinga of Wyoming was one of those boxers who brought home one of many Golden Gloves state championships during the storied run of the Pride gym that began in 1985 and continued until it closed in 2000.

“It was a great facility that provided so much benefit for a whole lot of young people who needed it,” Elzinga said. “It helped so many kids. It was really a beautiful place and we are all very thankful for it.”

The reunion was organized by the two men who got Pride Gym up and running in the mid 80’s, Bob Serulla and Bruce Kielty.



Founders Bruce Kielty (left) and Bob Serulla reminisce at the Pride Boxing Club reunion. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



Ionia State Prison ring purchased for one dollar

“Bruce and I opened the gym 40 years ago,” said Serulla, who’s also a boxing announcer and co-host for WKTV’s Golden Gloves programming. “We talked about opening a gym and we met with Buster Mathis Sr. We talked to him about opening the gym and having him train young men. We finally found a location, but we didn’t even have a ring. The Ionia State Prison had a boxing program way back and we found out they still had their old ring. We contacted the prison about seeing if they would donate the ring and they said that we could buy it for $1. It was an old Everlast ring, but it was perfect for us and we got the gym going.”

Kielty also fondly recalled the beginnings of the gym.

“It was quite a dream of ours,” Kielty said. “We brought in Buster Mathis Sr. to be our head coach and we also had Phil McConahy who was another great coach. We had a very successful 10-12-year run.”

In Buster Mathis Sr., the Pride Gym had a name that was sure to get the attention of young boxing prospects in West Michigan. One of the finest heavyweights in the 1960s and 70s, Buster Mathis Sr. fought the great Muhammad Ali as well as other notables Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Jerry Quarry and Ron Lyle.

Trainer Buster Mathis Sr. helped grow the Pride Gym

With a trainer like Buster Mathis Sr. working with the boxers, the Pride Gym grew rapidly and produced a wealth of boxing talent.

Mathis Sr. was not the only high-level trainer at Pride as Johnny Butler also trained boxers. Butler, an amateur national champion in 1958, who is over 90-years old now, was also on hand for the reunion Saturday.

Boxers came from all over the country to reunite

The former Pride boxers came from all across the country for the reunion that first started sending out invitations a few years ago.

“We have boxers coming in from California, Montana, Alabama, Florida, Atlanta, you name it,” Serulla said. “It is a heck of a group. Almost everyone was able to make it in.”

Kielty also was thrilled to see the reunion come to fruition.

“This reunion is also very special,” Kielty said. “We have former boxers living all over the country and this reunion was another dream come true. We started sending invitations out three years ago. Boxing is a unique fraternity and this was something we really wanted to do.”  

 

Juan Padin (left) and Brian Blakely were two of the original boxers at the Pride Boxing Club. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



Juan Padin and Brian Blakely first to join Pride

The first two boxers who joined Pride in the beginning, Juan Padin and Brian Blakely, became the backbone of the team and both became captains.

“It started with Juan Padin and me, we were the first two,” Blakely said. “I started when I was 14-years old. We would be going to different shows and doing really well and people were starting to ask ‘who is Pride’. No one knew who we were, but before long people began to know. There were a lot of good people in Pride. We had really good coaches who gave us a lot of attention.”

Blakely and Padin won a number of state titles during their boxing days at Pride and also went on to compete for national championships.

Blakely eventually turned professional and actually made his professional debut in November of 1990 in a boxing show at the Welsh Auditorium in downtown Grand Rapids that featured the last match of Floyd Mayweather Sr.



The former boxers of the Pride Boxing Club get together for a group photo at the first-ever reunion of the gym. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)

The new Pride Gym was a perfect spot for Padin to begin his boxing career. The then 16-year old Padin had just moved to Grand Rapids from Brooklyn, New York.

“I just moved to Grand Rapids and didn’t know anyone,” Padin said. “I just went into the gym one day after it first opened and I kept coming back. It was a great gym. One thing about Pride fighters is that they got us in shape. You never had to worry about a Pride fighter running out of gas.”

Padin made the trip to Grand Rapids from Birmingham, Ala., where he now lives.

“This reunion is just great,” Padin said. “I haven’t seen a lot of these guys in a long time. This is just awesome to see all my old teammates and coaches. It’s a lot of great memories. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

Former champion Buster Mathis Jr. excelled at Pride Gym

The reunion also was special to Buster Mathis Jr., who grew into a champion amateur and professional boxer under the tutelage of his father and the team at Pride.


“I learned a lot of life lessons from my father,” Mathis Jr. said. “Boxing helped me in a lot of different areas in my life. The lessons I learned from boxing helped me to do a lot of other things later in my life.”

Taking up boxing as a 14-year old not only changed his life, but also changed the younger Mathis’ body.

“I weighed 280 pounds when I first came to the gym and started boxing,” Mathis Jr. said. “My dad trained me for a whole year and when I was a 15-year old I was down to 180 pounds. When I eventually fought Tyson as a pro I was at 225 pounds.”

After a highly successful amateur career, Mathis Jr. became a professional where he won 21 of 26 bouts and also won a USBA heavyweight championship. Mathis Jr. not only fought Mike Tyson, but also former world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe.

For Mathis Jr., like the rest of the Pride boxers, the team atmosphere at the gym was one of the highlights of being a boxer at Pride.

“Everybody sparred with everybody,” Mathis Jr. said. “The atmosphere in the gym was just phenomenal. It was basically more like a family type of thing.”

Buster Mathis Sr. passed away in 1995 just prior to his son’s bout with Tyson. If the senior Mathis was alive today, Buster Jr. had no doubt where his dad would’ve been on Saturday.

“He would probably be at the gym right now training someone,” Mathis Jr. said. “The one thing my dad really liked was taking some young kid and making that kid into a champion. He loved working with and developing kids and teaching them to become a fighter.”

Kevin “KP” Porter, Leon Spinks, Michael Dokes to name a few more

Mathis Jr. was not the only successful heavyweight boxer to come out of Pride. Kevin “KP” Porter also had a long and successful pro career in the heavyweight division. During his professional career Porter defeated former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks and also fought some of the bigger-name heavyweights of the era like Andrew Golota, Greg Page, Michael Dokes and former Olympic champion Henry Tillman.

The reunion also fanned the flames of some of the boxers wanting to see a Pride comeback.

“I want to bring Pride back,” said Sugar Ray Collins. “I’d like to bring it back and have amateurs, pros and MMA fighters. I’d love to see it come back.”

Wyoming Police investigate recent shooting on South Division

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(Courtesy, Deborah Reed/WKTV)



By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


One person is injured following a shooting in the 3700 block of South Division Avenue.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug.4, officers from the Wyoming Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers located evidence indicating that multiple shots had been fired; however, no victim was found at the scene.


A short time later, an adult male victim arrived at a nearby hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. He is currently listed in stable condition. At this time, no arrests have been made. Detectives from the Wyoming Police Department, along with members of the Forensic Science Unit, are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wyoming Police detectives at 616-530-7300, or to report anonymously through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345, 1-866-774-2345, or online at www.silentobserver.org.

Draw outside the lines at Pinery Park in Wyoming on Aug. 9

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Take over the walking path at Pinery with your boldest, brightest doodles (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Get ready to unleash your inner sidewalk Picasso at Chalk the Park on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. at Pinery Park in Wyoming!

Chalk, stencils and good vibes will be provided by the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department – you bring your creativity!

Take over the walking path at Pinery with your boldest, brightest doodles. It’s free, it’s fun and it’s open to absolutely everyone.

All ages, all skill levels – all welcome!

City of Wyoming invites community to celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Entertainment, First Responders, Food, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Our Cities, Police and Fire, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,



By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The City of Wyoming is inviting community members to participate in National Night Out events throughout the city on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

An annual event celebrated across the country, National Night Out encourages residents to turn on their porch lights and gather with neighbors, community leaders, and police and fire personnel.


The annual National Night Out events help build relationships and trust within the community (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)

Celebrating and Strengthening Relationships

Lieutenant Andrew Koeller of the Wyoming Police Department says National Night Out strengthens the vital relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve – and the Wyoming PD is proud to participate in the annual event.

“This evening is more than just a gathering—it is a celebration of trust, safety, and shared commitment to keeping Wyoming safe and connected,” says Lt. Koeller.


Wyoming officers help youth try on tactical vests at a local National Night Out event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)


While National Night Out formally highlights the Wyoming Police Department’s community partnerships, Lt. Koeller says those relationships are at the core of everything the police department does every day.

“The Wyoming Police Department places great value on building, maintaining, and growing meaningful connections with those we serve,” says Lt. Koeller. “Our dedicated Community Services Unit leads many of these efforts, but every member of our department shares the responsibility of fostering strong community ties.”

Wyoming National Night Out Details

Wyoming police officers, firefighters, and leaders will join residents at multiple gatherings across the city. Most events will take place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Residents will have opportunities to explore police and fire equipment, including police cruisers, fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles, as well as learn about a variety of safety topics. Community members can also visit with the Wyoming Police Department K9 team.


Officer Willshire, Kentwood PD (left) Officer Klaassen, Wyoming PD (center) Officer Quintard, Wyoming PD (right) welcome community members at Celebration Cinema (Courtesy, Deborah Reed 2023)


Wyoming Police Department officers will be at Celebration Cinema at Rivertown Crossings from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., along with other local agencies. The department will also hold community events at Grace Christian University, Godwin Heights High School, Lifeline Church, Bayberry Farms and Buck Creek Church.

*Locations and event times listed below:

  • Celebration Cinema, 3728 Rivertown Pkwy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Grace Christian University, 1011 Aldon St. SW from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
  • Godwin Heights High School, 59 35th St. SW from 5:30p.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • Lifeline Church, 2929 Rogers Lane Ave. SW from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
  • Bayberry Farms, 2768 56th St. SW from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
  • Buck Creek Church, 3746 Byron Center Ave. SW from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

“We are grateful to our residents, local organizations and community leaders for their continued support and involvement,” says Lt. Koeller. “Together, we make Wyoming a safer, stronger place to live, work, and visit.”


WPD Captain Tim Pols hands a sticker to a young resident during a previous Wyoming National Night Out event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)

Learn More!

National Night Out began in the 1984 with a group of law enforcement agencies, volunteers, neighborhood watch groups, and state and regional crime prevention associations. It grew from porch vigils to neighborhood celebrations to promote safety in communities and build relationships with public safety.

To learn more about National Night Out, visit natw.org.

Air quality advisory declared for July 30-31 in West Michigan

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This advisory is due to smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday and into parts of the northern Lower Peninsula Wednesday morning (Courtesy, AirNow.gov)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


An air quality advisory is in effect for West Michigan through Wednesday and Thursday, July 30-31.

According to AirNow.gov, The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) across the state of Michigan. The advisory is due to smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday and into parts of the northern Lower Peninsula Wednesday morning with hourly PM2.5 concentrations ranging from USG to Unhealthy.


Air quality advisories and alerts are designed to help those who can be affected by poor air quality (Courtesy, AirNow)


“Smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday and into parts of the northern Lower Peninsula Wednesday morning with hourly PM2.5 concentrations ranging from USG to Unhealthy,” said Stephanie M. Hengesbach, Meteorology Specialist, Air Quality Division, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

“Models show the plume continuing its southern trek across the state as a cold front moves south into the Ohio River Valley. As the smoke moves in, PM2.5 concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range will expand south, while concentrations of PM2.5 in the Unhealthy range are more likely across northern areas.”

Sensitive groups are encouraged to take precautions.

This forecast will be evaluated Thursday morning to determine if the current statewide air quality advisory will need to be extended into Friday.


The air quality in West Michigan is currently considered unhealthy for sensitive groups (Courtesy, AirNow)

EGLE recommends:

  • When possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma.
    • Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes.
  • Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as:
    • outdoor burning;
    • use of residential wood burning devices.
  • Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.

(Courtesy, AirNow.gov)

How air quality is measured

Air quality is an important measure for creating desirable communities and protecting public health. Air Quality Advisories and Air Quality Alerts are based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The AQI is a scale from 0 to 500 that indicates air pollution levels. Higher values mean higher pollution and more health risks. When AQI exceeds 100, it is unhealthy, starting with sensitive groups and worsening as it rises. There are six categories, each with a color, to easily gauge the level of health concern in communities.

Air quality advisories/alerts information:

Air Quality Advisory: Issued when ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5) or both are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) threshold. Those considered in the “USG” threshold include people with lung disease (such as asthma), children, older adults, people who are active outdoors (including outdoor workers), people with certain genetic variants, and people with diets limited in certain nutrients should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

This is aimed to provide awareness for poor air quality, encourage people to limit activities that contribute to poor air quality, and to alert those who are especially sensitive to poor air quality.

Air Quality Alert: Issued when Ozone, PM2.5, or both are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy threshold or worse. This alert indicates a higher level of concern as everyone, not just sensitive groups, can be affected by poor air quality.

PROJECT 90, West Michigan’s premiere ’90s rock band, will play favorite hits at Lamar Park performance July 29

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Local Entertainment, Music, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , , ,
Covering music from Nirvana to Blink 182 to Melissa Etheridge – “and everything in between” – the five-piece rock band is known for its high-energy and dedication to the last golden decade of guitar-driven rock music (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Project 90 (P90), one of the top three favorite cover bands in West Michigan for eight years running, will bring the best of ‘90s rock to Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, July 29 at 6 p.m.

Covering music from Nirvana to Blink 182 to Melissa Etheridge – “and everything in between” – the five-piece rock band is known for its high-energy and dedication to the last golden decade of guitar-driven rock music.

P90 was formed to pay tribute to the last golden decade of guitar-driven rock music (Courtesy, P90)

“All ‘90s All Night – Re-live the decade that brought us pogs and boy bands, furbies and Friends,” states the P90 Facebook site.

P90 was formed to pay tribute to the last golden decade of guitar-driven rock music – and does not disappoint.

Featuring lead vocals by Mark Gardner, guitars by Nolan Romzek and Brian Zeemering, bass and vocals by Matt Vail, and Stephen Legg on drums, P90 has been dominating the ‘90s music scene in West Michigan, boasting 9.6K fans on social media and large crowds at each performance.

Come out to Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park final summer performance at Lamar Park ready for the full ‘90s rock ‘n’ roll experience!

Concert details

Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks offer food for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab some food and enjoy the music!

A complete listing of Project 90’s performances and events through September 2025 (Courtesy, P90)

Local filmmaker, Tran Hoang Calvin to have films featured at Filmmaker’s Happy Hour on July 24

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The Cans Film Festival is celebrating Grand Rapids-based documentary filmmaker, Tran Hoang Calvin, during Filmmaker’s Happy Hour at Speciation Artisan Ales (Courtesy photo)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Filmmaker Tran Hoang Calvin (Courtesy photo)

The Cans Film Festival is celebrating Grand Rapids-based documentary filmmaker, Tran Hoang Calvin, during Filmmaker’s Happy Hour at Speciation Artisan Ales on Thursday, July 24 from 6 – 9 p.m.

Filmmakers and film-lovers are invited to this special event to meet Tran Hoang Calvin and get to know him through his work, all while sharing a drink from Speciation Cellars. This event is free and open to the public.

Tran Hoang Calvin is a director and producer with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Film and Television Production from New York University Tisch. Calvin focuses on the developing field of new media including social media strategy, memetics and virtual reality.

Calvin worked at various major media companies including Anonymous Content, Decon-Mass Appeal, Vice Media, and ABC News. He then co-founded both Nodehaus Media, an animation studio and production company driven by Gen Z artists and entrepreneurs, and Dolphinger Memetics, a marketing research lab.

What to expect at Happy Hour

The July 24 Filmmaker’s Happy Hour will feature four of Calvin’s films: “Refuge: The Story of Viet Tran” (2021), “A Clean Slate” (2023), “Has Heart” (2025) and an exclusive preview of “Shoot, Shovel & Shut-Up” (2025).

(Courtesy photo)

The short documentary, “Refuge,” allows attendees to hear from Vietnamese refugee, Viet Tran, who talks about his past struggles with fleeing his country in search for a better life. IMDb

As Wisconsin reforms its expungement process, the opportunity for a second chance for the formerly incarcerated hinges on a local activist named Shanyeill McCloud in “A Clean Slate.” IMDb

“Has Heart” follows a Navy veteran and an artist as they empower veterans through art, helping them reclaim their voices. This inspiring documentary shows how creativity heals trauma, connecting stories of sacrifice, honor, and resilience. IMDb

The short drama, “Shoot, Shovel, and Shut up,” features the Clifford family as they attempt to start a new life by selling their dilapidated, impoverished farm. But when the discovery of an endangered bird on the property threatens to collapse the sale, the son Andy must decide whether to make the bird’s presence known or to shoot, shovel, and shut up. IMDb

About the Cans Film Festival

The Cans Film Festival organization works to support independent filmmakers by promoting film as an accessible art form to audiences everywhere, their website states.

The organization’s flagship event series, the Cans Film Festival (CFF), is a film screening series meant to give filmmakers another opportunity to show their work and to connect with each other and their local community. The price of admission is a donation of recyclable cans and bottles which are given to the top three filmmakers whose films were voted as audience favorites at the end of the night.

(Courtesy photo)

Filmmakers keep all proceeds through the 10-cent redemption system at most grocery stores across Michigan.

The festival is dedicated to showcasing the diverse range of short films created in Michigan. Local filmmakers are invited to submit their short films of 15 minutes or less (shorter runtimes are preferred), across any genre or subject matter.

Celebrate community spirit

Join the July 24 Filmmaker’s Happy Hour event and celebrate community spirit, support local artists and contribute to a greener future. For more event details, click here.

Mobile food pantry schedule for Kent County, July 21-Aug. 19

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By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Several Kent County organizations have partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host mobile pantries each month.

Below is a list of mobile food pantry locations open to the community. Each listing consists of date, time, location and drive-thru or walk-thru designation.

Though the selection of food varies each month, a variety of fresh and frozen items are always available at the mobile pantries.

Mobile food pantry schedule for July 21 – Aug. 19:

July 21 – Monday

July 22 – Tuesday

July 23 – Wednesday

July 24 – Thursday

July 25 – Friday

July 26 – Saturday

July 28 – Monday

July 29 – Tuesday

July 31 – Thursday

Aug. 2 – Saturday

Aug. 4 – Monday

Aug. 5 – Tuesday

Aug. 6 – Wednesday

Aug. 7 – Thursday

Aug. 8 – Friday

Aug. 9 – Saturday

Aug. 11 – Monday

Aug. 12 – Tuesday

Aug. 13 – Wednesday

Aug. 14 – Thursday

Aug. 16 – Saturday

Aug. 18 – Monday

Aug. 19 – Tuesday

Resources

To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.

For the full Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.

Phabies to showcase eclectic mix of original songs at Lamar Park on July 22

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While many bands target one style or sound, Phabies creates songs that unashamedly cross genres (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Popular West Michigan-based band, Phabies, will take the stage at Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. with their eclectic mix of original alternative rock/pop songs.

A DIY band

The Phabies band is a direct reflection of its founder, Laura Hobson, and her refusal to be forced into one style or genre.

“I never really wanted to feel stuck or pigeonholed in any certain style or genre,” said Hobson. “I didn’t want to present as only one thing while we were still trying to figure out our sound.”

While many bands target one style or sound, Phabies creates songs that unashamedly cross genres.

The band does not shy away from creating a unique and eclectic sound (Courtesy, Phabies)

“It keeps my brain interested,” said Hobson. “I need a lot of mental stimulation to stay interested.”

Phabies not only creates their own sound, but their show sets and outfits as well – putting Hobson’s art degree to daily use and earning Phabies a reputation as a “DIY band.”

Even the band name was formed from an eclectic mix of Hobson’s personal experiences.

“It involves an old screen name, a run-in with a feral cat, a road trip to Canada, a book written by Steinbeck – there’s a lot of overlapping things that resulted in the name,” Hobson said with a laugh.

Friendship and trust

Though Phabies bears Hobson’s personal signature, the group formed in 2018 out of friendship and trust – and is stronger because of it.

The band members began as friends, and have remained close friends through the years (Courtesy, Phabies)

“I had been looking to start a band for a very long time, but I didn’t want to randomly hobble a group together that would later fall apart or wouldn’t feel exactly right,” said Hobson. “It took a long time to find my people.”

Band members Garrett Stier (guitar/bass/vocals), Joshua Holicki (drums), Max McKinnon (synth/keys), Andrew Deters (guitar) and Hobson (vocals/guitar/keys) have remained friends throughout the years, and Hobson believes that is due to the thoughtful construction of the band.

“General advice for people looking to start groups: don’t rush into it,” said Hobson. “Make sure you can really trust and feel safe with the people you’re playing with.”

That friendship and trust plays an important role in enjoying what they do.

“Every practice is fun; it never feels like work,” said Hobson. “It was really important to have a group of people that I can really laugh with and feel like my truest, freest self.”

More than just notes on a page

For Stier and Hobson, that feeling of connection and safety extends from the band to music itself.

Stier said music has been a constant source of joy for him over the last few years.

Music provides an experience unique to each individual (Courtesy, Phabies)

“It’s a place to go and be reminded that there are good things, there are things that bring people together.”

Stier went on to say that he has experienced music bringing people together in various ways through live concerts, recording albums and rehearsals with the band. The people he has met and friendships he has gained make him appreciate music even more.

Hobson associates returning to the stage time and again with facing her fears and the unknown.

“It’s knowing that you can do a hard thing or something that is scary,” said Hobson. “Every time I am done with a show, I remember that I can do it. I think that’s really important because it is scary to perform. There’s something to be said about musicians who get up there every single day and perform a new song on stage or tell a story or give away parts of themselves.”

Though Hobson has performed solo shows and appreciates the different ways she can interact with the audience during those shows, she said being part of a group makes performing less intimidating.

“All eyes split between five people is a little less scary than all eyes on just me,” said Hobson. “You are so vulnerable; it just feels safer when I’m with my friends.”

Hobson said being onstage also helps her tap into parts of herself that otherwise remain hidden.

“I think there are parts of myself that surface when I am up there that I am not in tune with off the stage. It feels like you’re tapping into something else, and I’m interested in that feeling.”

Lyricism as poetry

Hobson crafts her songs with care, putting time into both the lyrics and music. 

“I like to approach lyricism as poetry, where there’s a lot of symbolism and a lot of things you could read between the lines and glean different information from if you looked for it,” Hobson said, adding that she loves how lyrics can be interpreted in the same way as paintings.

Hobson encourages different interpretations of her music by listeners (Courtesy, Phabies)

“I think the best compliment you could receive as a songwriter is somebody else’s interpretation. Even if it’s not what you intended, that’s okay. That’s what art is.”

Hobson said writing songs, like group performances, is a way to share the weight of life.

“A lot of times I will write songs to unburden myself, to share the load and get things off of my mind and disperse it. Because it’s easier to carry when it’s spread among many people.”

Simultaneously, Hobson uses her songs to help unburden her listeners.

“It feels important to remind people that they are cared for, that somebody else is considering their happiness.”

A curse…and hope

Phabies recently released their latest album, The Curse Of Caring, in June. The band has a full lineup of summer shows throughout Michigan, with hopes of out-of-state touring and recording in the fall.

“I didn’t let myself do any writing as we were pushing the album out,” said Hobson. “Now I have this backlog of energy that I’ve been furiously trying to capture on my instruments and probably will be going towards album number three.”

However, both Hobson and Stier are also focused on sharing songs from The Curse Of Caring.

“With writers or with musicians, whenever you release something into the world, it’s new to everybody else, but we’ve been holding on to these songs and working on them for the last two or three years,” said Stier. “We are really doing our best to stick with these songs and to share them.”

And the message contained within The Curse Of Caring is an important one, Hobson said. The album’s songs explore loss and grief while also holding space for happiness and joy.

Phabies’ latest album explores grief while also offering hope (Courtesy, Phabies)

“The curse of caring is that double-edged sword. If you do care for things, you’re also going to experience great sadness when things change or when you experience loss.

“But at the same time, caring is what makes us human,” Hobson continued. “In some ways, caring does often feel like a curse because those of us who care the most have the most to lose.”

The album’s last track provides listeners with an uplifting message of hope.

Phabies has released two full-length albums, Fire Seed (2022) and The Curse Of Caring (2025), as well as several EPs and singles over the years.

Hobson and Stier said they are grateful for the opportunity to record two music videos using the WKTV Community Media studio in Wyoming, and urge other artists to utilize the media station’s resources as well.

“It’s a great resource to use that exists in our community,” said Hobson.

Learn more about Phabies and their music here and here.

Concert details

Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks offer food for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab some food and enjoy the music!

The complete 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup can be found here.

Updated Consumers Energy policy unlocks more energy bill assistance for those in need

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Consumers Energy’s electric and natural gas customers who qualify for State Emergency Relief funds may now qualify for additional assistance (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Consumers Energy’s electric and natural gas customers who qualify for State Emergency Relief (SER) funds and haven’t received the full $500 annual payment credit may now qualify for additional assistance under a new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services policy in effect immediately.

State Emergency Relief dollars help certain income-qualified customers take control of their past due energy bills up to a maximum of $500. The one-time federal funds disbursed at the state level are distributed to customers who apply and whose household income is 150% of the federal poverty level or below.

How it works

Beginning July 7, new customer applicants who haven’t received relief in Fiscal Year 2025, which ends Sept. 30, are eligible to receive the $500 per commodity cap, regardless of their past-due balance.

Previous SER recipients who haven’t reached the $500 per commodity cap can apply for the remaining amount (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Previous SER recipients who have already received funding since Oct. 1, 2024—but haven’t reached the $500 per commodity cap—can apply for the remaining amount starting July 11 through Sept. 30. These payments may result in a credit on the customer’s account.

“We’re dedicated to equity, accessibility and affordability for Michiganders who count on us for reliable electricity and natural gas,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president, chief customer and growth officer.

“Through our various energy savings programs, energy assistance offerings and partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we support the growing needs of our customers who experience challenges paying their bills.”

This new policy could allow customers to receive an additional $250 to meet the maximum annual allocation allowed (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Under the former policy, a customer who owes $250 to keep their account active could apply and, if approved, get a credit paid back in that amount but would not have been eligible for additional relief in the same fiscal year. Under the new policy, however, that customer could now receive an additional $250 to meet the maximum annual allocation allowed of $500 if they have accumulated additional arrears.

Additional energy assistance

Last year, 540,000 customers received $38.4M in State Emergency Relief funding. In total, 137,000 families across 30 Michigan counties received some type of energy assistance. 

In addition to State Emergency Relief funds, there is additional help available for anyone who needs assistance with their energy bills by calling 2-1-1, a free resource that connects people with nonprofit organizations. Customers can also visit ConsumersEnergy.com/Assistance.

To make it easier for customers to find the help they need based on their situation, Consumers Energy recently launched “My Personalized Offerings,” an easy-to-use tool that empowers customers to identify and enroll in custom payment assistance and energy management programs. The optional tool is free and available to all customers at ConsumersEnergy.com/Offers.

More resources:

My Bridges – State Emergency Relief – see if you qualify or to apply

Contact your local DHHS office here

Federal poverty level guidelines

Air quality advisory (AQI Orange) extended through July 14 in West Michigan

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Environment, Health, Kent County, medical moment, Weather, West Michigan, , , , , ,
The air quality in West Michigan is currently considered unhealthy for sensitive groups (Courtesy, AirNow.gov)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


An air quality advisory is in effect for West Michigan through Monday, July 14.

According to a statement released by Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), this advisory is due to elevated levels for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5). The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) cites wildfire smoke originating from Canada.

EGLE noted that levels of particle pollution are expected to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) through all of Monday, July 14 in southern parts of Michigan.

Sensitive groups are encouraged to take precautions.


The air quality in West Michigan is currently considered unhealthy for sensitive groups (Courtesy, AccuWeather.com)

Air pollution cause

“Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to push into Michigan on Sunday, with additional plumes expected Monday,” said Stephanie Hengesbach, Meteorology Specialist, Air Quality Division, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Increased fine particulate levels due to smoke were seen Sunday morning across the Upper Peninsula into the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula. The smoke continues to track east and south, expanding across the rest of the state and with additional plumes forecasted to move in on Monday.

Hengesbach said southern locations can expect levels of fine particulate in the USG to Moderate range.

EGLE recommends:

  • When possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma.
    • Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes.
  • Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as:
    • outdoor burning;
    • use of residential wood burning devices.
  • Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.

How air quality is measured

Air quality is an important measure identified in SEMCOG plans and programs for creating desirable communities, protecting public health, and maintaining a positive regional image for Southeast Michigan. In partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), SEMCOG is now implementing a two-tiered system of Air Quality Advisories and Air Quality Alerts.

This new system is based on the EPA’s U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI).

There are six categories, each with a color, to easily gauge the level of health concern in communities (Courtesy, AirNow.gov)

The AQI is a scale from 0 to 500 that indicates air pollution levels. Higher values mean higher pollution and more health risks. When AQI exceeds 100, it is unhealthy, starting with sensitive groups and worsening as it rises.

There are six categories, each with a color, to easily gauge the level of health concern in communities.

Air quality advisories/alerts information:

Air Quality Advisory: Issued when ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5) or both are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) threshold. Those considered in the “USG” threshold include people with lung disease (such as asthma), children, older adults, people who are active outdoors (including outdoor workers), people with certain genetic variants, and people with diets limited in certain nutrients should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

This is aimed to provide awareness for poor air quality, encourage people to limit activities that contribute to poor air quality, and to alert those who are especially sensitive to poor air quality.

Air quality advisories and alerts are designed to help those who can be affected by poor air quality (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Air Quality Alert: Issued when Ozone, PM2.5, or both are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy threshold or worse. This alert indicates a higher level of concern as everyone, not just sensitive groups, can be affected by poor air quality.

The Insiders: A Tom Petty Tribute Band to provide a rockin’ performance at Lamar Park on July 15

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The local band presents a premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience with six veteran musicians and decades of combined stage and touring experience (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


“Close your eyes and you won’t know the difference. Open them and you still might be fooled.” The Insiders: A Tom Petty Tribute Band

Beloved rock and roll icon Tom Petty may have died in 2017 at age 66, his music lives on in soloists and tribute bands worldwide. One such band is West Michigan’s own The Insiders: A Tom Petty Tribute Band who will take the stage at Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m..

According to The Insiders’ website, the local band presents the premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience with six veteran musicians and decades of combined stage and touring experience.

The Insiders: A Tom Petty Tribute Band (Courtesy, Jessica D. Cowles Imagery)

Growing up on rock-n-roll

The Insiders’ frontman, Max Lockwood, is a songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who grew up listening to Tom Petty.

Max Lockwood is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (Courtesy photo)

“My mom would play the Greatest Hits record while she worked out,” Lockwood says on his website.

“I’d sit at the top of the stairs and listen to those songs—it was my most requested CD as a young kid.”

Lockwood’s high school band frequently performed Petty songs at local shows.

“Tom Petty was part of the great American landscape to me—a legend by the time I was musically conscious. We got a great crowd reaction with Petty tunes, and people frequently commented that I sounded a lot like him.”

Lockwood’s music is a combination of rock-n-roll with folk and pop genres, and is known for heartfelt lyrics that contemplate truths of love, adversity and growth. The musician’s powerful voice, raw emotion and flair onstage draw crowds at each performance.

Honoring a legend

After Petty’s passing in 2017, Lockwood organized the tribute band by performing a benefit concert with a group of his favorite musicians. The sold-out show raised thousands of dollars for a local domestic shelter – and The Insiders was born.

There has been no shortage of demand, and the band continues selling out shows across the midwest.

“We try to honor what Mr. Petty and the Heartbreakers have done for rock and roll each night,” Lockwood says on the website. “We’re fans of the music first and foremost. These songs are woven into the fabric of the American identity.”

The Insiders are based in Grand Rapids and are available for public and private functions. Find out more here.

Max Lockwood “catches air” at a recent Lowell show (Courtesy photo)

Concert details

Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks will offer delicious bites available for purchase. Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, grab some food, kick back and soak in the tunes!

The complete 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup can be found here.

Lyme disease cases up 168% over five years in Michigan: How to avoid tick bites

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Blacklegged tick. (Photo Courtesy, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)


By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


When it comes to summertime pests in Michigan, the pesky mosquito is generally thought of first. While that annual nuisance is prevalent again this year, another pest is making a comeback and taking its toll on Michiganders.

Like the mosquito, ticks are another summertime culprit that feasts on humans and spreads its own varieties of disease.

Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are increasing across the state of Michigan.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Lyme disease cases have increased 168% over the last five years. Michigan recorded 1,215 cases of Lyme disease in 2024, as compared to 452 cases in 2020. Anaplasmosis cases in Michigan have seen an almost fivefold increase over the last five years, with 82 cases in 2024 compared to 17 in 2020.

Lyme disease most common one in Michigan

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common tick-borne disease in Michigan. (Michigan Health and Human Services) Anaplasmosis, caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is the second most common tick-borne disease and cases are increasing, particularly in the northern parts of the state.


Blacklegged ticks. (Photo Courtesy, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)


“Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the MDHHS. “If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health, and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, or if you suspect a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, consult with your medical provider.”



Key Points from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

*Infected ticks are found most commonly in forested areas in the northeastern, north-central, and mid-Atlantic states, and in smaller areas within Pacific Coast states.
*Lyme disease bacteria causing human infection in the United States are spread to people by blacklegged (Ixodes) ticks.
*In general, infected ticks must be attached for more than 24 hours to transmit infection; prompt tick removal can prevent transmission.


Roughly 75% of Michigan Counties have a known risk for Lyme disease according to the latest map published by the Michigan.gov. Menominee and Dickinson Counties in the Upper Peninsula ranked first and second in the state for most confirmed cases of Lyme Disease. However, closer to home, Kalamazoo County was fourth, Ottawa County seventh and Allegan County is eighth in number of confirmed cases.

Unlike many other diseases, there is currently no vaccine to guard against Lyme Disease.

“There is a Lyme Disease vaccine for dogs,” said Dr. Maria Diuk-Wasser, a professor of ecology, evolution and environmental biology at Columbia University, who is researching the spread of ticks and which parts of the country tend to harbor disease-carrying ticks. “There is a vaccine in the works that is scheduled to come out in a couple of years. There used to be a vaccine for ticks, but it was taken off the market due to poor sales about 20 years ago.” 

The early symptoms of Lyme disease, according to the Mayo Clinic, are fever, headache, extreme tiredness, joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains and swollen lymph nodes. Signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease typically begin one to two weeks after a bite, often after being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks commonly live. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.


Classic Lyme disease rash. (Photo Courtesy, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

According to Health and Human Services, both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are transmitted by Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick. The blacklegged tick is well-established in parts of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas and has been expanding its range over the years. 

The MDHHS is encouraging Michigan residents to take steps to avoid tick bites while enjoying the outdoors. Protect yourself against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by following these tips.

*Avoid tick-infested areas that harbor them like grassy, brushy and wooded areas. Individuals should walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter on trail edges. Dogs and cats can encounter ticks outdoors and bring them into the home. Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products.
*Apply an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin. Treat clothes before going out to forested areas or hiking with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
*Always check for ticks on yourself and your animals after being outdoors, including in your own yard. Inspect all body surfaces carefully and remove attached ticks carefully with tweezers.
*Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors, preferably within two hours, to wash off and more easily find ticks. Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat to kill ticks.

For more information on Lyme disease and other tick-borne conditions, or how to submit your tick and/or photo of a tick, visit Michigan.gov/Lyme.

The Kent County Health Department also has a Tick Borne Diseases Fact Sheet available on its website.

Additional information nationally is available at CDC.gov/Lyme.

MHSAA: A century of school sports

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Sports, Sports, ,
(Logo Courtesy, MHSAA)



By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
greer@wktv.org


A primary mission of the MHSAA’s 100-year anniversary has been to connect today’s athletes, administrators, coaches, game officials and spectators with their roles in the ever-growing story of school sports in Michigan.

Indeed, together, we are the MHSAA.

Over the last 10 months and with today’s 44th and final installment, our “Century of School Sports” series also has sought to tell a deeper and more detailed story of how the MHSAA has arrived at this moment. As our work becomes new with the start of every school year, and with every family experiencing educational athletics for the first time, it’s a story that must always be updated, expanded and retold.

But at the heart of most organizations is a fundamental statement. So to close this celebration, we below break down what is literally the “About” of the MHSAA – as we prepare to build on these values in adding to our story again and again during the century to come.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation …

Although the MHSAA has built a thriving relationship with the Michigan Department of Education over the last many decades – and, in fact, the state superintendent or designee has a non-voting position on the Representative Council – the MHSAA also has maintained its autonomy since its start and even before, as a legislative takeover attempt of the former Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Association led to the MHSAA’s formation in December 1924.

The MHSAA was first incorporated in 1972 and is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization. In the most basic terms, as a non-profit corporation the MHSAA must reinvest all revenue it receives back into its mission of administering school sports. Put another way, whatever money the MHSAA makes must be spent to conduct its tournament events and the several other educational, leadership, etc., programs the MHSAA provides for students, coaches, officials and others who contribute to educational athletics.

… of voluntary membership …

Through their boards of education, member schools voluntarily join the MHSAA each and every year, vowing by formal school board resolution to abide by and enforce the MHSAA’s rules for educational athletics. Membership is optional; schools may conduct a complete program of interscholastic athletics and may participate against MHSAA member schools in regular-season competition without joining the MHSAA. But the great majority of high schools in Michigan approve that membership annually.

… by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools …

Over the last several years, the MHSAA has counted about 750 high schools and 800 junior high or middle schools, or elementary schools with 6th-grader participation, among its membership. For 2024-25, those totals were 754 high schools, 777 junior high/middle schools and 63 elementary schools with participating sixth graders.

… which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition.

This drove the original formation of school sports associations across the nation going back to the late 1800s, including the Michigan State Teachers Association’s first inroad into athletic administration in 1895. The MHSAA Handbook, updated annually with rules and other changes voted upon by the Representative Council, is the rulebook for all MHSAA member schools – public and nonpublic – with rules for general topics like student eligibility but also specific to each sport to regulate scheduling and other intricacies.

No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA …

In maintaining that independence noted above, the MHSAA receives no funding from local, state or federal governments. The MHSAA’s income is derived primarily from ticket sales at postseason events, with smaller portions from sponsors and advertising, officials and coaches education registration fees – and again, with all money brought in by the MHSAA going back into those tournament events and programs to support students, athletic directors, coaches and officials.

… which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools.

These have long been points of pride for the MHSAA; membership remains and has been completely free since the mid-1940s, after the end of World War II, and member schools may enter MHSAA Tournaments for free.

Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments …

In adopting and upholding MHSAA rules as their own, school districts agree to promote a standard of competitive equity necessary to keep MHSAA Tournament events fair for all involved.

… which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.

Over the last 35 years, attendance at MHSAA Tournament events has reached at least 1.1 million spectators annually (not counting the COVID-affected 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years), with a high of 1.68 million during the 2005-06 school year. Attendance during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years began climbing again toward 1.5 million spectators, those last two years’ ticket totals ranking among the highest over the last 15.

School sports have a massive footprint in Michigan, which has a population just above 10 million residents. Sure, attendance figures likely count the same spectators several times – the same person might buy tickets for several rounds of several sports over the course of a school year – but a one-to-one comparison using athlete totals also is powerful.

Conservatively, Michigan has at least 160,000 high school athletes. Add in parents of those athletes, grandparents, other relatives with significant interest, and that’s a huge block – let’s say at least 5 percent of the state’s population have some current tie to the athletes playing at the local high school. That’s not even covering athletes at MHSAA junior highs and middle schools, coaches and athletic directors at all levels, and more than 8,000 game officials who make those contests possible. And our groups of athletes are rolling over at least every four years, meaning many tens of thousands more have had at least recent direct contact as participants in our programs.

The MHSAA always has provided opportunities to compete and win championships, but more importantly to learn life lessons gleaned from simply taking part in the process.  

This work is important; its impact is significant. And just as our predecessors surely felt beginning this endeavor 100 years ago, we remain eager and enthused to play our part.

Mel Trotter Ministries partners with Catherine’s Health Center to expand clinic services to shelter guests

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Catherine’s Health Center CEO Megan Erskine (left) shaking hands with Mel Trotter CEO Chris Palusky celebrating the joint partnership to operate a full-service medical clinic at Mel Trotter Ministries (Courtesy, Mel Trotter Ministries)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Mel Trotter Ministries, the largest provider of services to people experiencing homelessness in West Michigan, announced an expansion of its partnership with Catherine’s Health Center. This expansion will result in increased health clinic services for guests staying at Mel Trotter’s shelter at 225 Commerce SW in Grand Rapids.

Catherine’s is now offering full-time medical care at Mel Trotter Ministries. This new partnership will provide 40 hours per week of comprehensive primary care services to guests, with plans to expand access to the broader Heartside community by early 2026.

Mishel Pollard of Catherine’s Health Center standing in the hallway at the full-service medical clinic (Courtesy, Mel Trotter Ministries)

The clinic will serve as a “medical home” for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering walk-in appointments and a full spectrum of services including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), immunizations, screenings, well-child visits, diagnostic lab services, chronic disease management, and referrals to specialty care.

Additional care

In addition to primary care, Catherine’s will provide:

  • 16 hours per week of dental hygiene services
  • 4 hours per week of psychiatric care
  • 40 hours per week of case management support

The entrance to the full-service clinic at Mel Trotter Ministries (Courtesy, Mel Trotter Ministries)

Bringing integrated services to the community

“We are grateful to Mel Trotter Ministries and their generous partners and donors for laying the foundation for this model of care,” said Megan Erskine, CEO at Catherine’s Health Center. “Their commitment over the past four years…has made it possible for us to expand our place-based care model and bring full-time, integrated services to this community.”

Catherine’s Health Center staff working in the full-service medical clinic. Left to right: Ollie Irwin, Mishel Pollard, Bettie DeChemin (Courtesy, Mel Trotter Ministries)

Catherine’s has spent the last three years delivering healthcare directly to the unhoused in shelters, churches and encampments. The new clinic represents the next evolution of this work, complemented by a mobile medical van that will continue to provide outreach and services across the region.

“We’re extremely pleased to expand our relationship with Catherine’s Health Center so that we can deliver the best possible care to our guests,” said Chris Palusky, CEO at Mel Trotter Ministries.

“When our renovated clinic space opened two years ago, it was our goal to provide services that healed the body and the spirit of those in need of assistance. This new service agreement will help us do that by bringing a more complete spectrum of care for anyone coming to our shelter.”

Tammy Morgan of Catherine’s Health Center working in an exam room at the full-service medical clinic (Courtesy, Mel Trotter Ministries)

The initiative goal is to provide personalized and dignified care to guests while reducing non-urgent emergency department visits and unnecessary hospitalizations. Ultimately, leaders at Mel Trotter Ministries and Catherine’s Health Center believe that improved physical and mental health outcomes will enhance housing opportunities and stability for individuals trapped in the cycle of homelessness.

Stay tuned!

The clinic expects to open its doors to anyone experiencing homelessness starting in October. An open house at the clinic is planned for Oct. 22.

To view Catherine’s Health Center upcoming events, click here.

Godwin Mercado near completion, City of Wyoming offers sneak-peek of new community space

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The City of Wyoming provided a tour of their new community market space, Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, Cris Greer WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Kyle VanEerden, Market Manager (right), and Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The City of Wyoming provided a tour of their new community market space, Godwin Mercado, on Tuesday, July 1.

Managed and programmed by Kyle VanEerden, Godwin Mercado Market Manager, and the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, the market space will support local vendors, seasonal farm and artisan markets, food trucks, community events and private events.

Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department Director, provided a preview of the nearly completed 6,000-square-foot, $6.2 million facility.

“The Godwin Mercado is a year-round market facility that we are looking at as a really amazing and beautiful gift to the community here in Wyoming,” said Martin.

“A lot of work has been done to get us to this point,” Martin continued, noting that the Mercado groundbreaking was held seven months ago. “It’s amazing to see the progress that has happened in the building so far.”

The Mercado will be fully operational in fall of 2025 and will soon open for community reservations and events. The full farmers market will open in spring of 2026 to allow a full season for farm vendors.


Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department staff talk with local media in Godwin Mercado’s outdoor plaza (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Fulfilling a vital need

Not only will the Mercado provide fun and educational activities and events, market days will provide fresh and healthy food options with access to all food assistance currencies. This will fill key gaps in the area’s food system and help support the well-being of local residents.

“This is definitely fulfilling a need,” said Martin. “We’re definitely trying to fill a gap in the food system over here. There are some options of grocery stores nearby, but we really want to be able to provide fresh food options to the community right here in this neighborhood while also providing some education.”

A community hub

On the west end is the Mercado outdoor plaza, a multipurpose space that can accommodate vendors, activities and live music, seating and can be rented for community events. Electrical power is available for food trucks and other event needs.

The Godwin Mercado outdoor plaza (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


“Imagine there’s live music happening, there’s a lot of community, there’s kids laughing, there’s people talking,” said Martin. “That’s what this space should feel and look like once we’re fully operational.”

Accessible from the outdoor plaza is the Mercado main entrance and lobby. Restrooms can be found immediately to the left upon entering the lobby. Down the hall is a multipurpose room that can be utilized for meetings and during events. Another small room offers appliances such as warmers, a freezer and a refrigerator with a window connecting to the main event space.


Godwin Mercado main event space (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


The main event space includes automatic overhead doors and room for 20-24 vendors. Outdoor space for additional vendors is available along the building’s north wall.

Two utility rooms with storage space and a full AV setup at the east end of the building round out the market space.

Events year-round

Godwin Mercado is open all year – even during Michigan’s winter months. Eight automatic overhead doors that open and close facilitate that year-round possibility.


Large overhead doors can be opened or closed depending on weather (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


“In those colder weather months, maybe you’ll see the garage doors down, maybe we’ll have a little breeze going,” said Martin. “But this gives us a great amount of space to be able to have vendors.”

A single market day will be hosted each week during the winter months. Two market days will take place during the summer months.

Planning is already in progress for both a fall festival and a holiday market. The City’s annual winter event, Wrap Up Wyoming, will also take place at the Godwin Mercado.

Restoring a previous historic Wyoming event is also under consideration.

“Wyoming historically has had a pretty significant flea market that used to take place on 28th Street,” said Martin. “We’re hoping to bring back a semblance of a flea market that will take place here.”

Intentional connections

A mural installed by the nonprofit, Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts, will be painted by a local artist on the outer south wall of the Godwin Mercado building.

The north side of the building is equipped with two connecting paths to the surrounding neighborhood, space for outdoor vendors, seating, a play area for children, and a bike repair station.


  • One of the walking paths connecting Godwin Mercado to the adjoining neighborhood (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • A neighborhood connecting walking path and the bike repair station site (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Krashawn Martin talks about the various ways the market space connects to the community (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • A seating area on the north side of Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Space for outdoor vendors and community/family gatherings on the north side of Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • The north side of Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • The Godwin Mercado parking area connects with the Godwin Heights school athletic complex (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The City’s reconfigured trail network, its proximity to the highway and Silver Line bus route, and the walkable neighborhood location will make the Mercado easily accessible to everyone.

“We’ve tried to be really intentional with some of our neighborhood connectors,” said Martin.

Educational collaborations with local schools and organizations are also in planning stages. The goal is to provide youth with education about fresh foods, fun collaborations with the adjoining Godwin Heights school athletic complex activities, and encouraging entrepreneurial skills by bringing youth in as vendors for a special market day.


Godwin Mercado landscaping is well under way (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


Martin is cognizant, however, that other local organizations provide much of what the Mercado will offer the community – and she has no intention of reinventing the wheel.

“There are a lot of programs that are doing this work already, so it’s just finding those partnerships and having this be the space that people need for the ideas they already have,” said Martin. “We really want this to be an asset to the neighborhood that’s right here around us.”

Come one, come all!

Godwin Mercado will host a free grand opening event on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We are really looking at that as a huge community block party, a gift to the community,” said Martin. “We want to give an opportunity for people to see and feel the space, and see some things that might be [around during] market season.”

Attendees can expect food trucks, local vendors, kids activities, live music, games, a free meal (while supplies last) and more.

Rendering of completed Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

Resource links

The Godwin Mercado full market grand opening is planned for spring of 2026. For updates, sign up for the Godwin Mercado newsletter here.

Interested vendors can sign up to participate weekly or for the entire market season via an online vendor application.

For more information about Godwin Mercado, click here.

The Reverend Jesse Ray to bring a rockin’ experience and original tunes to Lamar Park on July 8

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Local Entertainment, Music, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,
The audience can expect a rockin’ good time as The Reverend Jesse Ray, accompanied by his Carolina Catfish band, treats attendees to new songs and fan favorites (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Recreation)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Ray is back in Wyoming with new songs and authentic lyrics (Courtesy, Reverend Jesse Ray)

The Reverend Jesse Ray will take the stage at Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. with his trademark rock ‘n’ roll sound. The audience can expect a rockin’ good time as Ray, accompanied by his Carolina Catfish band, treats attendees to new songs and fan favorites.

The majority of Tuesday’s Concerts in the Park show will consist of original tunes written by Ray and featuring the kind of authentic song lyrics his fans first fell in love with.

“My favorite record that I’ve ever recorded or written was Angry (2016), and I feel like I’ve gotten away from that raw, rock ‘n’ roll, fun, vintage-style energy,” says Ray.

However, the singer-songwriter has recently returned to writing those authentic lyrics. “I’m more uncompromising with the music that I want to make, and I think I’m writing some really fun stuff lately.”

In addition to Ray’s return to his musical roots is the return of Ray’s original drummer.

“Dingo is back in the fold and we’re playing together,” Rays says. “It feels magical.”

The importance of authenticity

When asked why he emphasizes authenticity in his music, Ray referred to a comment made by Justin Townes Earl, one of Ray’s favorite songwriters.

Ray’s music often reflect his life experiences (Courtesy, Aaron Rorick)

“[He said] you’re not supposed to write about things you don’t know anything about,” said Ray. “You can’t talk about it. You don’t understand it, you don’t feel it.”

Ray went on to say he ensures that even the cover songs he plays are pieces he can personally relate to – with one exception.

“‘Folsom Prison Blues’ isn’t really something that I completely identify with – that one’s just for fun,” said Ray with a laugh.

Ray’s newest album, ¡Adiós! (July 2024), dispensed with all hyperbole and cryptic lyrics, bringing a raw vulnerability to the album.

“When I did ¡Adiós! I was in a spot that I’d never been in before,” said Ray. “I was really upset, and I was a little unabashed in my songwriting, what I was singing about. For lack of a better way of putting it, I was pretty naked in ¡Adiós!.”

And though revealing his vulnerable side can be both easy and difficult, Ray’s fans say they relate to the honesty in his lyrics.

Practicing what he preaches

As with writing songs, Ray chooses to live life authentically. “I try to practice what I preach, live what I sing about.”

Characterized as an “old soul with a lead foot,” Ray can often be found zipping down the highway on his Harley or mugging for the nearest camera. But while Ray is known for going against the grain in music and in life, the musician said he does not nurture a reckless spirit or behavior.

The Reverend Jesse Ray performs at outdoor venue in Grand Haven (Courtesy, Jeff Brinn)

“I used to [live] in more of a destructive way; I used to live my life to my own detriment,” said Ray, adding that he has given up vices such as alcohol and cigarettes.

“I’m still going against the grain. I’m doing something that really isn’t supposed to work, but it’s out of this love for this life that I have right now. It’s not being rebellious for the sake of rebellion, but just living life and enjoying it.”

Bringing people together

Ray focuses on performing well so listeners enjoy the show (Courtesy, Reverend Jesse Ray)

The musician hopes fans walk away from his shows feeling good and having connected with other audience members.

“It’s fun to hear about people and different friend groups meeting up and getting to know each other,” Ray said.

“I really like bringing people together with music. I really appreciate people that come out, and I want to make it worth their while.”

To learn more about The Reverend Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, click here.

Concert details

Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks will offer delicious bites available for purchase. Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, grab some food, kick back and soak in the tunes!

The complete 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup can be found here.

#ShopWithPurpose at the WAR Chest Boutique’s annual summer Tent Sale in Wyoming

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From now until Aug. 30, the WAR Chest Boutique invites the community to shop with purpose at their annual summer Tent Sale that features a wide variety of items at greatly reduced prices (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The WAR Chest Boutique in Wyoming invites the community to shop with purpose at their annual summer Tent Sale.

From June through Aug. 30, a wide variety of items will be available under the gondolas in the boutique’s front lawn, including new and pre-owned products as well as imperfect merchandise at greatly reduced prices.

#ShopWithPurpose

Sale items are hand-crafted by at-risk women (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The retail arm of non-profit organization, Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l), the WAR Chest Boutique includes retail stores, an online boutique, and product parties held in homes, businesses and churches throughout the United States.

Specializing in hand-crafted items by at-risk women in WAR, Int’l partnering programs, each product in the online boutique and in the retail stores comes with a story card detailing personal stories of men, women, and children who have passed through WAR, Int’l programs.

WAR, Int’l seeks to help women at risk. Using culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and partnerships, WAR, Int’l provides safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation and more.

“Our mission is two-fold,” states the WAR Chest Boutique website. “We seek to market and sell handcrafted items made by at-risk and rescued men and women from around the world, supporting culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects, while educating our shoppers about the risks the vulnerable face in our world.”

Tent sale details

Tent Sale items include jewelry, scarves, keychains, books, bookmarks, toys, ornaments, fabric, home decor, craft supplies, jewelry-making supplies and more.

The summer months include indoor monthly specials as well (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Also featured during the summer months are indoor monthly specials. During June, customers can enjoy 30% off all orange-tag clearance items.

WAR Chest Boutique hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Boutique staff begin bringing Tent Sale items inside a half-hour before closing time, but customers are welcome to continue shopping indoors and outdoors until 5 p.m. During potentially stormy days, extreme heat conditions, or Mondays before the lawn service mows the grass, customers may shop Tent Sale items inside the boutique.

Shopping options are available online as well (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Summer exceptions to regular WAR Chest Boutique hours are June 26-27 (closed for inventory) and July 4 (closed for Independence Day).

Can’t make it to the tent sale? #ShopWithPurpose online here.

Purchases help free and empower survivors (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

All purchases from the WAR Chest Boutique help set women and children free from exploitation and slavery, and empower survivors to live and work with dignity and hope.

To learn more about the WAR Chest Boutique, click here. To learn more about WAR Int’l, click here.

Metro Cruise 2025 June-September Event Schedule

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Dream Wheels, Going Local, Kent County, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , ,
(Courtesy photo)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org






June 26 – Thursday

Car Show @ Church of the Open Barn, 6421 56th Ave., Hudsonville

(More info to follow)

June 29 – Sunday

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Antique Car & Tractor Show

The Saint Patrick Parnell Festival, 4351 Parnell Ave NE, Ada

For questions, call 616-206-7093

July 4 – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Allendale 4th of July Car Show

Allendale Township Park, Lake MI Drive & 68th Street

$10 entry fee

Dash plaques to the first 100 / 17 awards

Food available

July 5 – Saturday 8 a.m – 2 p.m.

Ninth Annual Heykoop Veteran Memorial Car Show

Hot Rod Harley Davidson, 149 Shoreline Dr., Muskegon

Gates open at 8 a.m. (Enter via the driveway off Western Ave (to the east of Hot Rod, off Shoreline Drive)

$10 pre-registration or $20 on event day

Food trucks, Seven award categories, 50/50 and 60/40 raffles

July 5 – Saturday, 10 a.m.

Patriots Motor Show and Festival

Chief Noonday Car Park, 11899 M-179, Yankee Springs in Wayland

July 6 – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Living in Freedom Car Show

New Chapel Church, 1029 4 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids

No entry fee

Free food, etc.

Awards and ribbons given for Best in Show and Top 10 – arrive between 10 – 10:45 a.m. for placing

July 12 – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Miss Metro Cruise Meet and Greet & Car Show

Moose Lodge in Wyoming

July 12 – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Registration 8 – 9 a.m.

Annual Zeeland Show & Shine Car Show

Downtown Zeeland on Main Street

$10 entry fee

July 11, Friday evening cruise from 6-7 p.m. Line up at Zeeland Stadium, 9900 Riley St, between 5-6 p.m.

July 12 – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cars and Coffee Grand Rapids

Downtown Ada Village, 7430 River St. SE, Ada

Register online / Registration opens June 16

July 13 – Sunday

Mad Dogs and Englishmen All-British Car Show

At the Gilmore

July 17-20 – Thursday-Sunday

Road America Weather Tech Vintage Weekend

July 20 – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fiesta Car Show

Holland Civic Center, 150 W. 8th St., Holland

$25 entry (cash)

Food truck and entertainment

Best of Show Award $1,000 / Additional Awards

July 23 – Wednesday, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Vintage, Classic and Muscle Car Show

Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 1286 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland

Free “Elvis” concert

No awards

No entry fee (see below)

Driver and one passenger free, additional guests $5 at gate

July 26 – Saturday, 1 p.m.

Tillema Auto Car Show

2437 Prescott St SW, Byron Center (near 84th & Byron Center, upper parking lot of First Reformed Church)

$10 fee

Music, food and games

July 27 – Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Coast Guard Festival Car Show

Downtown Grand Haven on Washington Avenue

Parking opens at 6 a.m.

Early registration $12 / Day-of $15

Awards 1:30 p.m.

Aug. 3 – Sunday, 4-7 p.m.

Pinups for Pups & Car Show

The Dirty Dog Bar & Grill

2411 Hall Rd, Muskegon

Aug. 8 – Friday, 5-8 p.m. (Check-in 3 – 4:30 p.m.)

MKD Classic Car Show

At the Grandville Summer Street Fare

Downtown Grandville on Chicago Drive

Registration $10 – Find the registration form online and reserve a spot

Aug. 9 – Saturday, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. / Pre-Registration open until July 31)

Coopersville Car Show

Pancake breakfast 7-10 a.m. at City Hall, 289 Danforth $7

Awards at 3 p.m.

(Car cruise Friday evening: Line up at 4 p.m. at 68th and O’Malley Drive)

Aug. 9 – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cars and Coffee Grand Rapids

Downtown Ada Village, 7430 River St SE, Ada

Register online beginning July 13

Aug. 9 – Saturday, 10 a.m.

Sparta Celtic Car Show

Balyeat Field, 190 Olmstead St., Sparta

$15 entry fee

Aug. 12 – Tuesday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Second Annual Car Show

Berlin Raceway, 2008 Berlin Fair Dr., Marne

$10 entry

Awards 7 p.m.

(No vehicle entry between 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)

Aug. 21 – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

15th Annual Metro Cruise Warm-up

Fowling Warehouse, 6797 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids.

Parking is first come, first serve

Check in at registration desk upon arrival

Live music, food, K9 display, etc.

Aug. 22 – 23 – Friday & Saturday

28th Street Metro Cruise, MAIN EVENT

Rogers Plaza, 972 28th Street SW, Wyoming

Begins at 9 a.m. Saturday

Check schedule online, including Woodland Mall events

Aug. 23 – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

All GM Show

Berger Chevrolet, 2525 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids

Free T-shirt and Hat to the first 400 entries

$20 per entry

Food trucks and donuts available

Aug. 24 – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Outdoor service at 10 a.m.)

Countryfest Cruise-in Car Show

Grace Lutheran Church, 2651 Shettler Rd, Fruitport

No entry fees or fundraising

Food and games available

For more info, call Tony at 231-740-7282

Sept. 1 – Monday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Muskegon Annual Cars for Cancer, Labor Day Car Show & Sunday Night Cruise

The Lakes Mall, 5500 Harvey Street

Pancake breakfast 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Registration 7-11 a.m.

Voting 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Awards 3 p.m.

Sept. 20 – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Star Customs Fall Festival Car Show, 29 N. Main St, Kent City

$15 fee

Awards 4-4:30 p.m.

Door prizes, food trucks, entertainment

Sept. 20 – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cars and Coffee Grand Rapids

Artiflex Manufacturing, 2066 Bristol Ave NW, Grand Rapids

Register online

Registration opens Aug. 12

Sept. 21 – Sunday, 3-5 p.m. (Rain date Sept. 28)

Car Show & Little Kids Car Show, 2537 S. Stone Rd, Fremont

$10 fee

Awards 4:30 p.m. – Top ten and best of show original and modified

Sept. 28 – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Poker Run Car Show & Color Tour

Montcalm Township Complex, 1880 S. Greenville Rd (7 miles north of Greenville on M-91)

The Poker run is less than 55 miles

Awards to top 80, dash plaques to first 200

Food, door prizes, raffle

For info call Bruce at 616-835-3793

iCI Nation connects police and community members during annual Wyoming Fire Truck Pull event

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Entertainment, First Responders, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Police and Fire, Recreation, West Michigan, , , , ,
Fire Truck Pull (Courtesy, iCI Nation)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The annual Wyoming Truck Pull took place at ResLife Church on Saturday, June 14. Coordinated by the Wyoming PD, this yearly event was a fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Fun for Special Olympics Michigan.

Among the festivities was the popular fire truck pull competition. iCI Nation, a local non-profit dedicated to connecting police and community in positive ways, took part in the competition with a 10-member team sponsored by Siegel Jewelers.

The iCI Nation team consisted of local police officers, probation officers, surveillance officers, juvenile detention workers and youth. The team won a trophy for Most Money Raised for the fundraiser.

“Making history, not with our time, but our people!” said iCI Executive Director Jennifer Franson.

  • Fire Truck Pull (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • iCI Nation founder and executive director Jenn Franson introduces the fire truck pull team (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • Fire Truck Pull (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • Fire Truck Pull (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • Fire Truck Pull (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • Fire Truck Pull (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • iCI Nation team won the trophy for Most Money Raised (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
  • Jenn Franson (left) plays tug-of-war with a Wyoming K9 (Courtesy, iCI Nation)

iCI Nation thanks Siegel Jewelers for sponsoring their team, and the Wyoming PD for coordinating the Special Olympics fundraiser.

Kari Lynch Band to perform June 24 at Lamar Park with new “unapologetically authentic” hit songs

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Music, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,
Kari Lynch shares about remaining true to her authentic self as a singer-songwriter – and how that has set KLB apart in the music industry (Courtesy, KLB)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The Kari Lynch Band (KLB) is returning to Lamar Park on Tuesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. with fan favorites and new songs from their upcoming album, including a new single being released June 27.

Dubbed a “force to be reckoned with,” Kari Lynch isn’t holding back as she prepares to take the stage during Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park second summer performance. The independent artist’s unapologetic authenticity continues to shine through in original music that weaves pop-rock nostalgia with modern singer-songwriter sensibilities – while circumventing mainstream expectations.

“I’ve always done what I believe is best for a song, and I’ve always tried to stay true to the type of music that I want to make outside of what’s popular,” Lynch says. “I’m not trying to make a song go viral, I’m just trying to write a song that I think is going to resonate with people.”

The Kari Lynch Band opens for Toby Keith, August 2021 (Courtesy, KLB)

Alone and imaginative

Though currently residing in Nashville, TN, the young and imaginative Lynch grew up in Clare, MI. A self-professed introvert, Lynch began writing songs and poems at the age of seven as a way to process her emotions.

“As a kid, I just felt really different,” says Lynch. “I always wanted to go off alone and be with my thoughts.”

Lynch’s parents divorced when she was four years old, and she remembers that time as confusing and emotional.

“When you’re a kid, so much of that is so hard to understand,” says Lynch. “I had these huge feelings and I didn’t know where to put them.”

So she put those feelings on paper.

“My natural thing was to go in a corner, or close the door, and sing or write a poem or song,” says Lynch. “Nobody taught me how to do it. It was very much like music chose me.”

The practice of writing has remained constant throughout Lynch’s life when there is something she is trying to understand or process.

“It’s one of the best forms of release.”

Lynch uses her natural gift for storytelling to create songs that resonate with audiences (Courtesy, KLB)

Wildly creative

Lynch’s music career began when she moved to Grand Rapids and formed the Kari Lynch Band. The band has experienced various changes over the past 15 years, but Lynch says she grateful for all of them.

“All the iterations of the Kari Lynch Band have always been the greatest guys, the most talented people,” says Lynch. “I’m so lucky that these musicians rolled into my life and I get to play music with them.”

The artist says keeping friendships and communication as top priorities solidifies KLB members into a cohesive unit.

Creating something real

For Lynch, the most important part of music is connecting with listeners (Courtesy, KLB)

Lynch has never followed mainstream expectations and believes that is why her music stands out to audiences.

Though the songwriter does think about hooks and memorable melodies, her main focus is not writing a hit song. It is writing and telling a story that is honest and real.

“I’m trying to tell the story the way that I think it needs to come out,” Lynch says. “I’m trying to write a song that I think is going to resonate with people.”

And when Lynch releases her final product, it is with zero apologies and zero disclaimers.

“When I put it out in the world, I’m just going to put it out there. I wrote it in a way that feels really good to me, and I really hope it resonates with somebody else. Because at the end of the day, it’s really all about that connection for me.”

Shaking things up

Because Lynch’s songs can be intensely personal and introspective, releasing certain songs to the public is often be a nail-biting experience for the artist.

“It’s always a little scary when you’re sharing something because it’s so vulnerable.”

However, Lynch says that she ultimately feels good about releasing songs that make her nervous because those are the songs listeners relate to the most.

“I’ve found that some of the songs I am most scared to release are the ones people really connect with,” says Lynch. “I think people need real, tangible things like that to connect with sometimes.”

For Lynch, art is not always meant to be easily digestible. “It’s meant to shake things up a bit. It’s meant to make people think a little bit differently about things or feel something maybe they’re struggling to feel.”

The trendy bus

When youth reach out to Lynch about songwriting, the artist urges them to be true to themselves – even if that means going against the flow.

“When you’re younger, you have this inclination to go with the flow and do what everybody else is doing. It’s so easy to do the thing that’s popular.”

Lynch encourages those she meets to be authentic, even if it is not popular (Courtesy, KLB)

However, Lynch continues, authenticity is what shines through.

“Sometimes it takes longer if you’re not doing the popular thing, if you’re not riding the trendy bus. But I really believe that, if you keep doing it, authenticity always shines through.”

And what you create will find an audience.

“There’s somebody out there who needs to hear what you’ve created, and only the way that you create it is going to resonate with them,” says Lynch.

“Any time you’re creating from a place of honesty, it’s going to resonate with somebody.”

Lynch went on to say that she believes people are “aching for things that are real” – herself included.

“I truly want to be myself…I want to sound like Kari Lynch. At the end of the day, trends are trends. Everything has a time, and I’d rather make music that feels timeless or feels like it’s going to stick around than go after certain production notes or drum beats that are popular right now.”

A new season of music   

Lynch is excited to return to the Lamar Park stage, reconnect with fans and share new music. She hopes all concert attendees are able to immerse themselves in the moment and enjoy every aspect of the KLB show experience.

“My favorite thing about making music is truly connecting with people,” Lynch says. “That is what makes all the things about being an independent musician worth it, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to do it.”

The Kari Lynch Band opens for Toby Keith, August 2021 (Courtesy, KLB)

Concert details

Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks will offer delicious bites available for purchase. Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, grab some food, kick back and soak in the tunes!

The complete 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup can be found here.

Wyoming mobile food pantry to be held Monday, June 23

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , ,
(Courtesy photo)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) has partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host a Mobile Pantry once a month.

*WHS June Mobile Food Pantry will be held Monday, June 23 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

What to expect

Though the selection of food varies each month, there are always a variety of fresh and frozen items available at the Mobile Pantry.

The Mobile Pantry is drive-thru style, and families are asked to remain in their vehicles for safety.



This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Wyoming-High-School-Mobile-Food-Pantry-Courtesy-WPS-1024x597.jpg
WHS Mobile Food Pantry Map (Courtesy, WPS)


Cars enter at the main entrance to WHS (1350 Prairie Parkway). Volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot to help with efficiency.

Once in line, a volunteer will approach each car to record the name, address, number of people in the household, and the reason the food is needed for each family. Once a car has reached the front of the line, volunteers will load a box of food into the trunk.

Resources

To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.

For the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.

Consumers Energy crews prepare for severe weather and statewide extreme heat

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(Photo Courtesy, pxhere.com)

By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


With summer heat on the rise and forecasts calling for the potential of severe weather, Consumers Energy has mobilized and begun to position over 485 crews to respond.

“We know how challenging summer weather can be, from heatwaves to sudden storms,” said David Hicks, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge for the storm event. “Our crews are ready, and our systems are being monitored around the clock. We will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore any service interruptions.”

Yesterday the company began moving trucks and essential materials, as well as mobile storm units that can move supplies closer to crews, in the areas expected to be hardest hit, including Jackson, Flint, and Grand Rapids. Along with hundreds of crews from Consumers Energy, contract crews from our Midwest partner energy companies have been called in to help.


Severe thunderstorms with the possibility of large hail, damaging winds and tornados are expected to impact much of the southern lower peninsula throughout the evening and into Thursday morning. This weekend, extreme heat is in the forecast statewide. In preparation for the high temperatures and storms, Consumers Energy urges the public to keep these tips in mind:

Storm Safety Tips

  • Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and to report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
  • Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
  • Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
  • Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners. 
  • In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.

High Temperature Tips

*Make sure to drink lots of water on days leading up to hot weather. Always have fresh water by you while working and playing and avoid drinks with high sugar or caffeine. Being hydrated helps prevent heat-related illness as well as strains and sprains.
*Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, breathable clothing that covers exposed skin.
*When it’s hot, it’s never safe to leave children or pets in a vehicle while it’s parked — even with a window open. Vehicles can reach dangerously hot temperature very quickly. To be cautious, always check to make sure no one is in the car when you leave it.
*If you have to be outside, try to find areas of shade to keep yourself cool from the sun. As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to be outside in the morning and evening times when it’s coolest.

If your home is uncomfortably hot due to no air conditioning, there are public places you can stay cool such as local libraries, shopping malls and community centers. There may even be public cooling centers by you. To find them visit mi211.org and search “cooling centers” with your zip code.

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job No. 1 is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. 

The Soul Syndicate to provide soulful tunes at Lamar Park performance on June 17

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Local fan favorite, The Soul Syndicate, will take the stage at Park Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Recreation)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


It’s time to put your dancing shoes on! Local fan favorite, The Soul Syndicate, will take the stage at Park Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. for the first 2025 Concerts in the Park summer performance.

With their sophisticated appearance, masterful musicianship and trademark high-energy performances, the 10-member band will pay tribute to influential funk, soul and R&B artists in a soul-infused entertainment experience designed to keep the audience dancing.

“It’s always a ride playing Wyoming because the crowds are always fantastic; it’s just always fun,” says drummer Tom Taylor.

Soulful sounds from master musicians

The band delivers high-energy performances at every venue (Courtesy, The Soul Syndicate)

Audiences will be treated to the soulful sounds of Mike Coon on guitar and vocals, Matt Fouts on bass, John Neil on keyboard and sounds, Colin Tobin as lead male vocalist, Katie Sarb as lead female vocalist, Tim DenBesten on trumpet and vocals, Nate Hansen and Danny Giacobassi on saxophone, Jeff Carroll on trombone, Tom Taylor on drums, and Eugene Griffith as sound engineer.

No strangers to large events and festival stages, members of The Soul Syndicate deliver a unique sound and crowd-pleasing experience at every venue they visit with their carefully crafted multi-song medleys.

Though soul, funk and R&B genres are musically related with soul and funk often considered sub genres of R&B, it is only in the past five years that The Soul Syndicate has deviated from their original plan of playing pure, classic soul music.

“Eleven years ago the original idea behind the band was really more around being strictly classic soul,” says Taylor. “That late 60s Motown, Stax, Memphis, Philly soul music. We wanted to do something different, something that was unique.”

At the time, pure soul music was unique to the West Michigan area. Though many people enjoyed The Soul Syndicate’s performances, many songs were not well-known and did not generate the excitement band members were hoping for.

So they decided to change it up.

May I have this dance?

“About five years ago we started to think about becoming more of a pure dance band, adding a lot more funk elements, really keeping the popular songs but making it a little funkier,” says Taylor. “Like anything, it’s evolved from there based on audience reaction and some of the events that we started booking.”

The Soul Syndicate’s popularity soared when the band began playing their own arrangements of song medleys. Suddenly, people were coming to see them perform at multiple events and saying they liked the band’s new sound.

And those medleys, Taylor says, keep the audience on the dance floor.

“Folks don’t like breaks,” Taylor says with a laugh. “If they’re on the dance floor, they like to keep going until they get tired.”

The band may tweak the medleys from year to year, but they continue to add more to their playlist.

“We all love playing together and love seeing big crowds dancing. There’s nothing better.”


The Soul Syndicate performs at several venues throughout the year (Courtesy, The Soul Syndicate)

Band growth, awards and playing with stars…

Only half of The Soul Syndicate are original members of the band, but the past decade has brought plenty of growth, talent and new friendships.

“When we started, the horn section was just a trumpet and a saxophone,” says Taylor. “And now we’ve got a four-piece horn section: a trumpet, two saxes, and a trombone.”

Many band members, Taylor included, perform with other groups as well as with The Soul Syndicate. That has provided band members with opportunities to play with nationally known artists such as Hootie and the Blowfish, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Guess Who, Natalie Cole, Rosemarie Clooney, Elvis Presley Jr., The US Navy Commodores Band – and more.

“The longer you’ve been doing this, you make a lot of relationships and never know who you’re going to run into in different parts of the area, different parts of the country and different theaters,” says Taylor.

The band’s only original music album won a Jammie Award for Best New Artist during their first year of inception.

They chose to move away from original music, however, due to varying ideas about how important original music was to their shows and a level of audience disinterest when playing lesser-known songs.

“Original music is great but, for us, if someone doesn’t know the song, they may not dance to it,” says Taylor. “They may applaud politely, but then wait for that next well-known song.”


The Soul Syndicate performs at a previous Frederik Meijer Gardens concert (Supplied)

More than just notes on a page

For Taylor, music has always been his escape.

“It takes me away from my corporate job and lets me unwind and just play the drums and drive a large horn band,” says Taylor. “There’s nothing better than that.”

Taylor went on to say that each Soul Syndicate member relates to the feeling of escaping into music they love. And doing it together is an added bonus.

“The members of the band are great friends,” Taylor says. “We get along really well, we collaborate very well together. We all laugh, we have fun.”

And The Soul Syndicate enjoys seeing other people having fun.

“We just love making people happy. We love what we do.”

See the band perform – more than once!

The Soul Syndicate has some pretty cool swag too (Supplied)

The Soul Syndicate is available to play for weddings, corporate events and the festival stage. To reserve the band for an event, click here.

Taylor urges audiences to check out their website for additional summer events.

“Check out our website; all of our dates are posted there,” Taylor says. “We have a lot of public performances in 2025 for people to come see us, especially outdoor concerts.

“We love the support of folks coming out to see us numerous times during the summer.”

Concerts in the Park details

The weekly Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks will offer delicious bites available for purchase. Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, grab some food, kick back and soak in the tunes!

The complete 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup can be found here.

Flights to Detroit Lions away games available through Delta at Ford International Airport

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, Travel, West Michigan, , , ,
Delta Airlines. (Photo Courtesy, Delta Airlines)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


Detroit Lions fans will now be able to attend select away games thanks to new nonstop flights through Delta Air Lines at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

The airline announced today it will offer roundtrip tickets to five Lions away games, as well as one University of Michigan away game. Lions season tickets are sold out for 2025-2026 and single tickets are extremely limited, so the move will allow fans to more easily see their beloved team at stadiums across the country.

“We’re excited to offer these flights to fans for what we hope will be another winning season of Lions football,” Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority President and CEO Tory Richardson said. “With home games at Ford Field in high demand, our partners at Delta are making it easier than ever for West Michiganders to catch the Lions in action at five exciting away game destinations. Delta has also added a special opportunity for Wolverines to see their team at an early game in Oklahoma.

“We appreciate Delta’s continued investment in our community and can’t wait to touch down across the country for the Detroit Lions.”

Tickets are on sale at Delta.com for the full lineup, including: 

  • University of Michigan at Oklahoma, departing Sept. 5 returning Sept. 7
  • Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens, departing Sept. 22 returning Sept. 23
  • Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, departing Oct. 11 returning Oct. 13
  • Detroit Lions at Washington Commanders, departing Nov. 8 returning Nov. 10
  • Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles, departing Nov. 15 returning Nov. 17
  • Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams, departing Dec. 12 returning Dec. 15

“From kickoff to the final down, Delta is making it easier than ever for Detroit fans to get in on the action – with new, nonstop routes in Grand Rapids and extra capacity for key games,” said Amy Martin – Vice President North America Network Planning. “We know our Michigan customers love their teams, so we have timed these flights to make it faster and easier to get them to the games that matter most.”


Delta recently expanded its connectivity at the Ford International Airport with nonstop service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) starting December 2025. It currently has four additional nonstop flights from the Ford International Airport, connecting travelers to hundreds of destinations across the world.


As the leading global airline, Delta served more than 200 million passengers in 2024 and was recently ranked the No. 1 airline on JUST Capital and CNBC.

WKTV host Yeli Romero wins prestigious Hispanic Businessperson of the Year award

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From Left, Guillermo Cisneros, President and CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Yeli Romero, Owner of ACCESO VIP GR, holding her Hispanic Businessperson of the Year award at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Gala and Fundraiser May 22, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)

By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org


When Yeli Romero was 10 years old, she wore her mom’s high heels and pretended to be a boss.

“I wanted to be glamorous, walk red carpets, and inspire others,” said Romero, who dreamt of being on TV or radio as a youngster. “I used to call radio stations just to hear my name on air; it made me feel seen.

“Today, I’m proud to be that voice for others. My dream is to one day be a host on Univision.”

That young boss in her mom’s high heels grew up to accomplish many of her dreams…and much more. 



Romero recently won the Hispanic Businessperson of the Year award from the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at its Annual Awards Gala and Fundraiser held May 22. The Gala celebrates the award winners and the rich Hispanic culture in West Michigan, according to the Chamber’s Website.


“It’s a milestone that proves hard work, consistency and passion truly pay off. This award recognizes commitment to community, leadership and entrepreneurial impact. I believe my years of service in both business and media, my advocacy work, and my efforts to support underrepresented communities through bilingual media contributed to this recognition.

“When I found out I had won the Hispanic Businessperson of the Year award, I cried tears of joy,” said Romero, who graduated from Adelante High School in Grand Rapids in 2002, which has since closed. “It was an incredibly emotional moment. I felt seen, celebrated and uplifted by my community. This award isn’t just for me — it’s for every person who has supported me and every client who has believed in my work.”


Romero was nominated for this award by Deena Scianimanico, Membership and Events Manager at the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.


“I nominated Yeli Romero because she is a constant presence in our community,” Scianimanico said. “Whether she’s serving as a mistress of ceremonies, leading Zumba sessions, advocating for important causes, or conducting interviews; she is everywhere. She’s amazing on social media, with a vibrant personality and impeccable sense of style.

“I often see her at the Hispanic Chamber, providing one-on-one business coaching and actively taking advantage of the benefits we offer. She also sets aside intentional time to work on herself and her business, not just the daily grind. That kind of boundary-setting and commitment to personal growth is rare and so important. She’s an inspiration and a powerful example of how to prioritize self-development while staying deeply engaged in the community.”


Yeli Romero, Host of WKTV Soundbites en Espanol.

WKTV Soundbites en Espanol Host Yeli Romero. (Photo Courtesy, ACCESO VIP Jesus Gomez)

Her business, ACCESO VIP GR, began as a radio segment she and her husband hosted on La Mejor GR, where they conducted interviews and shared community events and business promotions, thanks, she said, to the opportunity given to them by Chuy Morales.

“Our passion for promoting businesses quickly became evident, and we realized we loved the promotional work even more than hosting,” Romero explained. “What started as a hobby became our full-time business.

“Today, ACCESO VIP is a full-service bilingual marketing company offering everything in one place: social media management, digital marketing, graphic design, photography, video production, radio, TV, newspaper advertising, and printing. The name means “VIP Access” because we believe every client and follower deserves that VIP experience.”

She created the business after seeing the need for culturally relevant marketing where Latino business owners could find all services in one trusted space, and thanks to her strong network, she was able to integrate services into customized marketing packages.

ACCESO VIP has more than 500 clients, including Independent Bank, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Puertas Abiertas, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Meijer, the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, SpringGR, Bethany Christian Services, LAUP, Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative, Southwest Business Association, and The Other Way Ministries. 

“We help them grow their presence, amplify their mission, and connect with both Spanish- and English-speaking communities,” said Romero, who has promoted more than 3,000 events through culturally relevant marketing. 

Yeli Romero, Owner of ACCESO VIP GR, and husband Jesus Gomez.



Her team consists of her husband Jesus Gomez, along with a collaboration of talented designers, photographers and creatives. 

“And we love mentoring interns and providing them real-world marketing experiences. Many have gone on to work with larger companies, and we’re proud to have been a stepping stone in their professional journey.”

Born in Mexico, Romero moved to Grand Rapids when she was 16 years old.





“I come from a hardworking family and was raised alongside my siblings, Juan Manuel and Elivira Romero, by parents who always encouraged us to be strong and dream big,” she said. “I’m now happily married to Jesús Gómez, and we have two wonderful sons, Isaid and Jael, who are my pride and joy.”

Before launching ACCESO VIP, she worked at many different places, including as a general manager/sales person/event coordinator/radio host at 93.3 FM La Poderosa, as a sales manager/radio host/event coordinator/voice-over artist at La Mejor GR and as a radio host at Alegría Latina 92.7 FM.

“I found my passion at the La Poderosa radio station,” Romero said. “Though I started as a secretary, my role soon grew to involve more tasks, including promotional and fundraising activities. During this phase, I discovered that I enjoyed being involved with my community and the importance of being part of making an impact.”

WKTV Soundbites en Espanol Host Yeli Romero. (Photo Courtesy, ACCESO VIP Jesus Gomez)

A certified Zumba instructor since 2017, Romero teaches wellness and fitness classes. 


“I previously taught at the YMCA and for the City of Grand Rapids,” she said. “Now, I focus on private sessions for organizations and companies, including Steelcase, Rockford Construction, The Other Way Ministries and the West Michigan Hispanic Center.”

Finding time for more passions

Romero also holds many community leadership roles, including the manager of both the Southwest Business Association and Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Farmers Market, and the Wellness Advocate and Social Media Manager of Puertas Abiertas.

“I help amplify their mission, support survivors of domestic violence and trauma, and manage their online presence,” said Romero of Puertas Abiertas.


Grand Rapids Community College has played a major role in her professional and personal growth.

“I consider myself a lifelong learner,” said Romero, who’s pursuing a marketing degree at GRCC. “I love education and believe in learning something new every day.”

A personal story: Alopecia Universalis

While in high school, she was diagnosed with alopecia universalis, a condition that causes total body hair loss, including on the scalp, and a severe form of alopecia areata, “a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles,” according to Wikipedia.

“Losing all my hair was one of the most painful experiences of my life,” Romero explains. “This started when I was still in high school. That time in my life was very stressful as an immigrant new to this country trying to finish high school away from family and friends. 

“I struggled for many years with myself and my beliefs. I suffered from bullying for many years and issues with confidence and feeling like I couldn’t share my story even with my family. Even though this was an obstacle for me, I didn’t let it stop me from learning and finding my passion. I continued to grow and find my place in the community. 

“Eventually, my confidence grew and I was finally able to share my story with my community in 2021. I kept it a secret for 19 years; even while building my businesses.

“In 2021, I decided to share my story publicly and began advocating for others. I’ve raised funds to buy wigs, taught Zumba classes without my wig (out of state), and have spoken out to educate others. I want people to know they are not alone or less worthy.

“It’s important to raise awareness: please don’t touch our heads, and be mindful when someone wears a wig; it means more than most people realize. Small acts of kindness make a big difference.”


WKTV Soundbites en Espanol Host Yeli Romero. (Photo Courtesy, ACCESO VIP Jesus Gomez)


Two more important passions

As a radio host at WYCE 88.1, where she hosts El Mundo Musical, Despertando con Yeli every Saturday morning, this positive show features Latino music, interviews, community resources and event announcements.

The other one takes place here at WKTV. As a TV host of Soundbites en Español, she informs and empowers the Latino community.

“I proposed the idea, assembled a great team, and we now cover topics like health, immigration, finances, sports, education and more.”


WKTV Soundbites en Espanol Host Yeli Romero out with the WKTV Truck. (Photo Courtesy, ACCESO VIP Jesus Gomez)


Proudest career achievement?

“Helping people feel seen.”


“When someone tells me, ‘Yeli, your show helped me do something important,’ that fills me with pride. My work is about service and connection.”

Biggest passion?

“Empowering my community,” Romero said. “Promoting access to resources. Helping women, business owners and youth believe in themselves.”

WKTV Soundbites en Espanol Host Yeli Romero out in the community. (Photo Courtesy, ACCESO VIP Jesus Gomez)

Favorite thing outside work?

“Going to the gym and relaxing in the steam room. It’s my time to reset. I believe that mental and physical health are essential to face the world. 

“I also love spending quality time with my family.”

When did I realize my strength?

“In 2009, during a St. Jude Children’s Hospital training. Watching those children fight for their lives reminded me that if they could be strong, so could I. That year, we raised $50,000 in a radio-a-thon.
 
“It changed my life.”

Ultimate dream?

“To become a national TV host on Univision, continuing to advocate for my community on a broader stage.”

Handling obstacles?

“I face them head-on; with faith, resilience and a growth mindset. If I don’t have the answer, I ask for help, find solutions and transform challenges into opportunities.


“God is a very important factor in my life. I feel like at moments in my life I lost faith, but that has made my faith even stronger because of all the opportunities he has presented to me. My family has also been an important part of my life in supporting me and encouraging me in a hard time.” 

Kent District Library’s Summer Wonder program to take readers on a journey of reading and learning activities

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Summer Wonder brings participants a spectacular summer of outdoor discovery, scavenger hunts, reading, STEAM activities – and lots of fun for everyone (Courtesy, KDL)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Summer Wonder’s “WonderFold” contains a tracking log for participants (Courtesy, KDL)

Kent District Library is taking readers on a Summer Wonder journey of reading, learning and experiencing!

The Summer Wonder challenge is designed for multiple learning styles and abilities to keep readers of all ages engaged and inspired. The program brings participants a spectacular summer of outdoor discovery, scavenger hunts, reading, STEAM activities – and lots of fun for everyone.

Summer Wonder is a great opportunity to limit the “summer slide” that negatively affects learning between the end and start of the traditional school year. Extensive research shows that children involved in summertime reading programs sponsored by public libraries are more likely to maintain their academic skills.

Participate in Summer Wonder, running from June 2 – Aug. 8, by picking up a Wonderlog at any KDL branch or signing up online at kdl.beanstack.org. It is free and includes adventures and prizes for all ages.

“Earning prizes for reading and having fun – what could be better?” said Leigh Verburg, Branch Programming and Outreach Specialist. “Summer Wonder includes stories, activities and discovery for all ages, so sign up together and let the fun begin!”

More free summer programs!

KDL offers a great line-up of free summer programs and presenters including singing, magic, animals, puppets, STEAM activities and more. For a complete listing, visit kdl.org/events.

For more information on the Summer Wonder program, visit kdl.org/summer. 

Local siblings share tragedy of losing brother on USS Indianapolis during WWII

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Siblings David Payne and Suzanna Green shared the tragedy of losing their brother George David Payne on the USS Indianapolis after 77 years. (WKTV)

By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org


Editor’s Note: WKTV is reposting this unique, local story in honor of George David Payne and all United States veterans.


The weeks leading up to the sinking of the USS Indianapolis during a top secret mission in WWII, 17-year-old sailor George David Payne mailed two letters home from the ship.


Some 77 years after his brother tragically died on that ship off the coast of Japan, Sparta resident David Payne still gets extremely emotional reading those last letters.

“I get choked up when I read that last letter,” said David, who never met George David. “From my understanding he was a quiet, nice kid. I’ve never heard anything bad about him.”


Below is an excerpt from one of the two final letters from George David Payne (Seaman 2nd Class):


One of the two letters Wyoming sailor George David Payne sent home just weeks before the USS Indianapolis sank off the coast of Japan on July 30, 1945. (Courtesy, David Payne)

Dear Mom, Dad and Kids,

I hope this letter finds all of you in the best of health. I feel pretty good myself.

Tell dad and all the kids I said hi. Tell Jean the same. I suppose you are having quite a time with the kids. 

Tell grandma and grandpa I said hello. Boy, I’ll sure be glad when I get another leave, but I shouldn’t start thinking about a leave already.

I suppose it is pretty nice weather in Michigan now. Anyway, it should be summer. Well, I’ll have to say so long for now.
 
Love to all the family, 

George David Payne

Tragedy strikes shortly after letters sent home

Tragically, not long after the letters were sent, torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-58 sank the USS Indianapolis to the bottom of the Western Pacific Ocean within minutes on July 30, 1945.

Only 316 men survived

An estimated 300 men died aboard the ship, while nearly 900 sailors abandoned it, leading to several days of fighting off sharks, dehydration and injuries. Only 316 survived.

Top secret mission delivering atomic bomb components for use on Hiroshima

On a top secret mission that began in San Francisco, the Indianapolis successfully delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian Island. The components delivered were used in the atomic bomb (Little Boy) that the United States dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.

USS Indianapolis in its prime. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Archives)

“Many are familiar with Captain Quint’s retelling of the ship’s story in the 1975 film, “Jaws.” Few, however, understand the far-reaching impact of the incident and the tremendous amount of documentation and research conducted in the wake of the incident that continues to impact how the Navy operates today,” according to the Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division.



George David Payne is remembered by two siblings (David Payne and Suzanna Green) in a WKTV interview last summer (2022). July 30, 2023, marked the 78th anniversary of the sinking of the Indianapolis.

Siblings Jim and Cherie Payne, and mom Lillian Payne at their home: 305 Murray St., Wyoming, in 1945. (David Payne)


“I wasn’t born yet when George died,” David continued. “I didn’t realize I had a brother that died in the war until I was seven. In the early fifties, there was a program on TV showing the Japanese sinking that ship and my mother Lillian started crying and said your brother was on that ship.”

While recently looking at a photo of his brother Jim, Mom Lillian and sister Cherie (dated June 20, 1945) enjoying a happy day on the front porch, David said it soon turned tragic about a month later with the death of his brother on July 30, 1945.

David said his brother George David wasn’t old enough to sign up for the war so his dad signed the necessary paperwork in 1945 to let him join the Navy.


A short stint on the ship

“He was only on that ship for two weeks,” said David, age 75, who’s lived in Sparta for over 30 years. “I had an older brother in California (Nick Alberts, from his mother’s previous marriage), and he met him out there. George stayed for Nick’s wedding in California, and then got transferred to the USS Indianapolis.”

David said Nick, a member of the Seabees in California at the time, blamed himself for George’s fate.

“My little buddy”

USS Indianapolis Seaman 2nd Class George David Payne. (Naval History and Heritage Command Archives)

“He blamed himself for getting him transferred and going to the wedding,” said David, as he cried explaining the sad details. “He always called George ‘my little buddy,’ and said, ‘I can’t come home without my little buddy.’”

Because of that lingering guilt, David said his big brother Nick didn’t return home for 15 years.

“He had guilt, but did finally come home in the late fifties when I was 14 years old,” David continued. “Nick left a book on the Indianapolis with me.”

Most of the 12 siblings (seven girls, five boys) grew up on 305 Murray Street in Wyoming and attended Kelloggsville High School.

Providing after death

Many of them experienced the Great Depression. And it wasn’t lost on any family member how far George’s Navy death gratuity went to pay for their necessities.

“Our mother bought our school clothes and everything we needed from that check, it helped out our family so much,” said David, born on September 17, 1945, less than two months after the Indianapolis sank. “Both mom and dad got 20 or 30 dollars a month from George’s death.”

Gruesome shark attack stories

David Payne honoring and remembering his brother George David at a USS Indianapolis memorial in 1995 in Indy. (Courtesy, David Payne)

During a USS Indianapolis memorial event held in Indianapolis in 1995, David learned firsthand about the tragedy from several survivors.

“Through the years, we didn’t talk about it much and we were hoping he wasn’t trapped in the ship or killed by sharks,” said David, who attended with his wife Mary and sister Suzanna Green.

“Some of the guys relayed the terrible stories, talking about sharks dragging away their friends. It must have been hell.”

He said nearly 200 sailors attended, and recalls some talking about the gruesome shark attacks.

“I remember one guy’s account saying he heard a fellow sailor’s last word’s while getting dragged off by a shark, he screamed for his mother, and David imagined his brother George screaming for mom as well, as he cried retelling his memorial experience with survivors.

“There were some terrible stories. They had to go through hell.”

A “wonderful guy”

Green said George David was “kind-hearted, and definitely cared about his country. My mother cried over his death all of her life and made sure all of us knew we had a brother George David. He was a good kid.”

Green, who also attended the 1995 Indianapolis memorial, recalls the heavy emotions of the event.

“We went there because it was in his memory,” said Green, who taught for 30 years in the Grand Rapids Public School system. “And it was very emotional when we found his name on the monument. Dave put Mary on his shoulders and she put a piece of paper up there and she scratched it with a pencil.”


A proud celebration of life and service

Siblings David, Suzanna and Margie Payne at home on 305 Murray St. in Wyoming in the late 40s. (David Payne)

“It made me feel real close to the brother that I never saw,” Green continued.


“I knew him, but never saw him. I was very proud that his name was there and that he was remembered. It was a celebration of his life and his service.”


Green said their faith got her through the tragedy.


“Mom read the bible every day,” Green explained. “I love him like I grew up with him and that’s because my mother kept his memory alive.”


“We love him even though we didn’t ever get to meet him. And he still is well loved.”

Navy changes status

The Navy officially changed the status of George David and 12 other sailors lost when the Indianapolis was sunk in 1945 from “unaccounted for” to “buried at sea,” Navy Casualty announced on May 27, 2022.

The change in status is the result of extensive research between Naval History and Heritage Command, Navy Casualty Office, the USS Indianapolis Survivors Association, the USS Indianapolis Legacy Organization, and the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation.

The announcement helps bring closure to the families of these sailors who lost their lives at the end of a secret mission which helped end World War II.

Remembering George David through his clothing

At age 12, David found one of George’s Navy peacoats.

“I put it on and came upstairs and asked mom if I could have it,” he recalled.

His brother James would put on his Navy uniform occasionally.

A friend’s dad and Battle of the Bulge veteran from World War II, James Emanouil, age 97 at the time of the original article, used to spar with George David in the early forties at a local gym in Grand Rapids.

“I think George David wanted to join this war because of James and Nick.”

Service to the country goes way, way back

David’s fascination with genealogy led to a discovery of another young veteran from long ago. He learned that a great, great, great grandparent fought in the American Revolution at age 15, Eli Payne, Sr. His 100-year-old aunt, at the time, gave David a charcoal drawing of this relative.

Captain Charles B. McVay III

Captain Charles B. McVay III, commander of the USS Indianapolis. (Naval History and Heritage Command Archives)

Per the Naval History and Heritage Command website, “Captain McVay was court-martialed in the aftermath of the sinking and found guilty of recklessly endangering his crew by failing to zig-zag, in spite of I-58 Captain Mochitsura Hashimoto’s testimony at the trial stating that such maneuvers would not have changed the outcome of his attack. The conviction effectively ruined McVay’s career. It was controversial at the time and remains so today.” (Hashimoto was the Japanese submarine commander that sank the USS Indianapolis.) 

“McVay had a distinguished naval career prior to the loss of the Indianapolis. He served as Executive Officer of the USS Cleveland during the North African landings in November 1942 and earned a Silver Star for his actions aboard the same ship in the Solomon Islands in March 1943.”

After his death, McVay was exonerated by United States President Bill Clinton and the 106th Congress in 2000. Captain McVay committed suicide on November 6, 1968.


The bold paragraphs below are excerpts from survivor Captain Charles B. McVay’s detailed “Oral History – The Sinking of USS Indianapolis”

This is all documented in the Naval History and Heritage Command Archives. For a complete account of “Recollections of Captain Charles B. McVay, III,” visit here.

Captain McVay:

Commander Flynn


Executive officer [second in command on the ship] came up, Commander Flynn, and said, “We are definitely going down and I suggest that we abandon ship.” Well, knowing Flynn and having utter regard for his ability, I then said, “Pass the word to abandon ship.”

Dividing up rations floating at sea

I looked over the material that we had, the food stuffs, and told the people that I would open one Hormel tin per day. It contains 12 ounces and we would divide that evenly, and I also figured out each person could have two biscuits and two malted milk tablets, which I knew would last us about ten days.

Attacked by sharks

We had sharks, or rather they had sharks down there [in the life preserver group]. We know that because we have two survivors who were bitten by sharks and as I told this one boy in the hospital. I said, “You’d better take some castellan paint and put on that thing before it heals up because nobody will ever believe you’ve been bitten by a shark. You might as well outline the teeth mark and you will have it for the rest of your life and can say, `I know I was bitten by a shark.'”

USS Ringness to the rescue

The (USS) Ringness picked us up by radar. We had a 40 mm, empty ammunition can which I had spent a good deal of energy and time trying to get to, thinking it was an emergency ration, but we picked it up anyhow and saved it and she [Ringness] got a [radar] pip from this can. 

I think we had lost probably about 15% of our weight and I was naturally so elated to get on the ship, as were the others that we didn’t turn in at all. We were given something to eat, ice cream, coffee, such as that. The doctor said, “You can eat all you want,” which most of us did. We drank quite a bit of water.

Live music: Wyoming announces Concerts in the Park lineup

2-row, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Music, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , , , ,
Get ready for a summer of live music! (Courtesy photo)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org
May 23, 2025



Get ready for an unforgettable summer of live music! Beginning June 17, residents are invited to Lamar Park on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. for a free concert.

Food trucks will offer delicious bites available for purchase. Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, grab some food, kick back and soak in the tunes!

Concerts in the Park 2025 Lineup:

June 17 – The Soul Syndicate

(Photo courtesy of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

June 24 – Kari Lynch Band

(Photo courtesy of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

July 8 – Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish

(Photo courtesy of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

July 15 – The Insiders

(Photo courtesy of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

July 22 – Phabies

(Photo courtesy of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

July 29 – Project 90

(Photo courtesy of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

Splash pads are now open at Wyoming parks

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Environment, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Recreation, Weather, , , , ,
Beat the heat at splash pads at local Wyoming parks (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Rec)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org
May 23, 2025


Get ready to beat the heat — Wyoming parks have officially opened their splash pads for the summer!

Grab your swimsuits, sunscreen, and smiles, and cool off with family and friends. Splash pads are open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily. To turn on, gently tap the activators with your hand or foot.

Find a splash pad near you and start making sunny memories today!

Splash pads are located at:

📍 Lamar Park (2561 Porter St.)

📍 Oriole Park (1380 42nd St. SW)

📍 Jackson Park (3235 Robin St. SW)

📍 Gezon Park (5651 Gezon Ct.)

📍 Southlawn Park (4125 Jefferson St.)

Wyoming mobile food pantry to be held TUESDAY, May 27 due to holiday weekend

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , ,
WHS May Mobile Food Pantry will be held Tuesday, May 27 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. due to the holiday weekend (Courtesy photo)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) has partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host a Mobile Pantry once a month.

*WHS May Mobile Food Pantry will be held Tuesday, May 27 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. due to the holiday weekend.

What to expect

Though the selection of food varies each month, there are always a variety of fresh and frozen items available at the Mobile Pantry.

The Mobile Pantry is drive-thru style, and families are asked to remain in their vehicles for safety.



This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Wyoming-High-School-Mobile-Food-Pantry-Courtesy-WPS-1024x597.jpg
WHS Mobile Food Pantry Map (Courtesy, WPS)


Cars enter at the main entrance to WHS (1350 Prairie Parkway). Volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot to help with efficiency.

Once in line, a volunteer will approach each car to record the name, address, number of people in the household, and the reason the food is needed for each family. Once a car has reached the front of the line, volunteers will load a box of food into the trunk.

Resources

To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.

For the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.

NEWLY RELEASED: WKTV’s Friday Night Highlights Golden Gloves action PART 2

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,


By Cris Greer
Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org


WKTV Hosts Bob Serulla and Jordan Shimmell (former Golden Gloves champion) walk you through the Michigan Golden Gloves Championships from the West Michigan Finals through the State Finals at Aquinas College in this exciting Friday Night Highlights Golden Gloves edition PART 2.


Five-time Michigan Golden Gloves champion Junior Rios joins in on the play-by-play analysis as well.


PART 2 features the best bouts of the Championships, boxer interviews, and a look inside the MGGA (Michigan Golden Gloves Association) Boxing Gym. You’ll want to watch every bit of this boxing show.


Our WKTV Truck crew got great highlights of the Golden Gloves Championships just for you!


Take a look at Part 1 of our WKTV FNH Golden Gloves Edition HERE.


Look for more great WKTV Golden Gloves coverage in the future!